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 Harrisburg, Pa April 20, 2015 DEP Sets Dates, Places For Hearings On Revised Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it has scheduled the three public hearings on proposed final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling performance standard regulations. (formal notice)

The hearings will be held from 6:00 and end at 9:00 p.m. on­­ — April 29: Washington and Jefferson College, Rossin Campus Center – Allen Ballroom, 60 S. Lincoln St., Washington, Washington County; — April 30: Warren County Courthouse, 204 4th Ave., Warren, Warren County; and — May 4: Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Klump Academic Center, 1 College Ave., Williamsport, Lycoming County.

During the hearings, each speaker will have the opportunity to present up to five minutes of verbal testimony. To ensure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to present their testimony, relinquishing of time to other speakers will be prohibited, and groups are asked to designate one speaker. All presenters should bring three copies of their comments and exhibits for submission to DEP.

Those who wish to present testimony during the hearing are asked to register in advance by contacting the DEP Policy Office at 717­783­8727. Individuals will be called to testify in the order they registered. If time permits at the hearing, those who did not register in advance will be given the opportunity to testify.

Those who prefer to present their comments in writing or who are unable to attend one of the hearings may submit written testimony online or by email to: RegComments@pa.gov. The public may also send comments to DEP Policy Office, 400 Market St., P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105­2063.

Comments must be received by May 19, 2015. A subject heading of the rulemaking, the commentator’s full name, and a return address must be included in each comment submission.

DEP will consider relevant comments and provide a written response in its final rulemaking.

Individuals in need of an accommodation during the hearing as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800­654­5984 (TDD).

DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee is also scheduled to meet on April 23 from 10:00 to noon to review and discuss the revised final Chapter 78A drilling regulations. (formal notice)

DEP’s Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee, which is to review the Chapter

78 (conventional) drilling regulations, is next scheduled to meet on August 27. Click Here for a summary of some of the proposed changes. For more information and copies with the revised Chapter 78 and 78A regulations, visit

DEP’s Oil and Gas Regulations webpage. NewsClips: Hearings Set On New Gas Drilling Regulations DEP To Hold Hearings On New Drilling Regulations Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Over Lycoming Gas Well Site Discharge Range Resources Ordered To Disclose Drilling Chemicals Invenergy Uses Balloons To Gauge Proposed Power Plant Rail Shipments Of Oil Way Up In Philadelphia 2nd Major Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast Kinder Morgan Ponders 2nd Pipeline In Ohio Kinder Morgan Moves Forward With Pipeline Plans 2nd Major Gas Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast West Goshen Vote Put Off On Pipeline Settlement Oil And Gas Advisory Committee Meeting April 23 To Review Chapter 78A Drilling Regs DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on April 23 from 10:00 to noon to review and discuss the revised final Chapter 78A drilling regulations. (formal notice)

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg. Click Here for the agenda. Click Here for available handouts. For more information and copies with the revised Chapter 78 and 78A regulations, visit

DEP’s Oil and Gas Regulations webpage. NewsClips: Hearings Set On New Gas Drilling Regulations DEP To Hold Hearings On New Drilling Regulations Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Over Lycoming Gas Well Site Discharge Range Resources Ordered To Disclose Drilling Chemicals Invenergy Uses Balloons To Gauge Proposed Power Plant Rail Shipments Of Oil Way Up In Philadelphia 2nd Major Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast Kinder Morgan Ponders 2nd Pipeline In Ohio Kinder Morgan Moves Forward With Pipeline Plans 2nd Major Gas Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast West Goshen Vote Put Off On Pipeline Settlement House Committee Hearing On Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations Now On May 7 The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has now rescheduled a hearing on DEP’s handling of the proposed final version of the Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78A (Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations for May 7.

During House and Senate budget hearings, Republican members expressed concern about DEP moving ahead with a proposed final version of the regulations with only a 30 day public

comment period. Republican members, and representatives of the conventional oil and gas drilling

industry, also were concerned about the impact of the regulations DEP proposed for the conventional drilling industry.

The hearing will be held in Room 140 Main Capitol starting at 9:00. Rep. John Maher (R­Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Greg Vitali

(D­Delaware) serves as Minority Chair. NewsClips: Hearings Set On New Gas Drilling Regulations DEP To Hold Hearings On New Drilling Regulations Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Over Lycoming Gas Well Site Discharge Range Resources Ordered To Disclose Drilling Chemicals Invenergy Uses Balloons To Gauge Proposed Power Plant Rail Shipments Of Oil Way Up In Philadelphia 2nd Major Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast Kinder Morgan Ponders 2nd Pipeline In Ohio Kinder Morgan Moves Forward With Pipeline Plans 2nd Major Gas Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast West Goshen Vote Put Off On Pipeline Settlement They’re At It Again: Bill Would Take Resources From Effective Pollution Reduction BMPs Sen. Elder Vogel (R­Beaver) Tuesday again introduced legislation­­ Senate Bill 724­­ creating a significantly flawed RFP process that requires PennVEST to buy nutrient credits from a rigged process that favors manure treatment technology that does not count toward Pennsylvania’s pollution reduction milestone.

Similar legislation­­ Senate Bill 994­­ was introduced last session and was opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation­PA, PA Farmers Union, the PA Municipal Authorities Association, PA Environmental Council, PennFuture and other groups.

Last session’s bill was opposed because it­­ ­­ Is Neither Cost­Effective nor Affordable: The alternative system proposed in this bill preferentially favors expensive, capital­intensive nutrient reduction technologies that is not a technology recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as counting toward Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup milestones.

Currently, DEP and PennVEST already offer certified nutrient credits through a market­based online exchange and auction.

The most recent auction in June 2014, nitrogen credits were sold for $2.27 per credit. The technology promoted by the bill is not cost competitive unless the credits are sold at $8 to $10 per credit, its promoters have said.

A December 2012 report by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee estimated the sustainable cost per credit for this technology at $11 per credit. And while the legislation doesn’t mandate the purchase of more expensive reductions, it threatens to manipulate the market to do so.

The choice is clear—$2.27 per pound of real certified, tradable nutrient credits or $11 per pound of future nutrient reduction?

­­ Does Not Create Real, Marketable Credits: The bill does not require the “TMDL parameter credit” to meet the existing regulatory standards under 25 Pa. Code § 96.8 for a marketable nutrient credit and are inconsistent with USEPA nutrient trading guidance.

As a result, any reductions should be considered as imitation credits that have no real market value to the Commonwealth.

They cannot be sold to community sewage treatment plants or developers because the reductions cannot be used as "credits" or "offsets" in meeting nitrogen or phosphorus NPDES discharge limits. And, they cannot be sold by the state to help offset the cost of this program which has no funding source. ­­ Leaves Unnecessary Risk with Farmers: Family farmers will see no benefits from this bill. Under current state regulations, farmers in Pennsylvania have to meet basic regulatory compliance measures.

In particular, farmers who till (plow) land and/or have an identifiable Animal Heavy Use Area disturbing more than 5,000 sq. ft., are obligated to have an erosion and sedimentation plan under Chapter 102 (Erosion & Sedimentation).

This bill promotes an approach that will not help farmers to come into compliance with existing Pennsylvania law. Importantly, farmers who ship manure to a large­scale treatment facility under this bill are not protected from shouldering the burden of transportation costs or tipping fees. And treatment facilities are not obligated to allocate any revenue with participating farmers.

With increased oversight by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DEP, farmers statewide and in particular within the Chesapeake Bay watershed need all the financial and technical assistance they can get to achieve and maintain compliance. ­­ Leaves Unnecessary Risk with the Commonwealth: By not funding this program, the bill could use unidentified sources of taxpayer money to subsidize the technologies promoted in this bill.

Watch this bill closely, because it could be slipped in at the last minute as part of state budget deliberations in June without any hearings or even a vote by either the Senate or House as legislation was last year dealing with the regulation of conventional oil and gas wells.

More detailed reviews of the new legislation will no doubt be available soon. The bill was referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this

session. Wolf, GOP Leaders Have First Budget Meeting, Senate Takes Step On Nominations Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday met with Senate and House Republican Leaders for the first time on the state budget, but only briefly and only to discuss the schedule for future meetings.

Wolf told lawmakers he was going to personally be part of the meetings, but the parties agreed to form work groups in the different issues to see if they can come to a consensus.

House Majority Leader David Reed (R­Indiana) said House Republicans wanted to look at each piece of Wolf’s plan and then “put the jigsaw back together” with their own ideas.

Wolf and his team have said repeatedly his proposal is a package and shouldn’t be taken apart. Rep. Reed said if Would would prefer a vote on his entire package it would come as soon as the second week in May. At the same time he doubted whether the package would pass or have 83 Democratic votes in the House.

All parties still said they are aiming to have a budget by June 30. Wolf Nominations The Senate took one step toward formal consideration of Gov. Wolf’s cabinet

appointments by referring the nominations to the relevant standing committees for confirmation hearings and action.

Senate Committees have scheduled meetings to consider 5 of Gov. Wolf’s cabinet appointments­­ Pedro Rivera for Secretary of Education; Curtis Topper as Secretary of General Services; Theodore Dallas as Secretary for Human Services; Eileen McNulty as Secretary of Revenue; and Leslie Richards for Secretary of Transportation. NewsClips: Senate Moves Wolf Nominees To Committees For Hearings Big Week Ahead For Wolf Appointees, Cortes Comes Under Fire Wolf, GOP Leaders Have First Budget Talks House, Senate GOP Members React To Budget Meeting With Wolf State Budget Negotiations Heating Up Wolf Not Willing To Compromise On His Principles Reed: No Republican Support For Wolf Budget Plan Severance Tax Proposal Would Keep Drillers From Passing On Tax Rep. Saccone Says Severance Tax Plan Bad Economic Policy Rep. Hanna: Drillers Should Pay Their Fair Share Corman Previews Meeting With Wolf, GOP Spring Agenda Senate Dems Discuss Budget Strategy, Property Tax Relief With Wolf PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA. Let us join your Circle.

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

You’ll receive as­it­happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos. Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates­­ PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from: PAEnviroDigest. PA Environment Daily Blog: provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and receive as they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. NEW! Add your constructive comment to any blog posting. PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government, including NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they

are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s 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 Bill Calendars House (April 20): <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. Senate (April 20): . <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. Committee Meeting Agendas This Week House: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 398 (Killion­R­Delaware) to allow for vehicular transportation of landfill leachate (sponsor summary); the Commerce Committee meets to consider House Bill 621 (Major­R­ Susquehanna) further providing for the recording of oil and gas leases (sponsor summary); the Consumer Affairs Committee information meeting on the status and economic benefits of the Mariner East Pipeline Project. <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule. Other: Environmental Issues Forum, Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring the Chesapeake Bay Foundation talking about the economic benefits of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Bills Pending In Key Committees Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in each­­ House Appropriations Education Environmental Resources and Energy Consumer Affairs Gaming Oversight Human Services

Judiciary Liquor Control Transportation Links for all other Standing House Committees Senate Appropriations Environmental Resources and Energy Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Community, Economic and Recreational Development Education Judiciary Law and Justice Public Health and Welfare Transportation Links for all other Standing Senate Committees Bills Introduced The following bills of interest were introduced this week­­ Bion Bailout Bill: Senate Bill 724 (Vogel­R­Beaver) create a significantly flawed RFP process that requires PennVEST to buy nutrient credits from manure treatment technology that does not count toward Pennsylvania’s pollution reduction milestone (sponsor summary). Similar legislation­­ Senate Bill 994­­ was introduced last session and was opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation­PA, PA Farmers Union, the PA Municipal Authorities Association, PA Environmental Council, PennFuture and other groups. Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards: Senate Bill 743 (Leach­D­Montgomery) increasing the mandate for electric utilities to buy 15 percent of their energy from Tier I sources by 2023 and increase the solar share from .5 percent to 1.5 percent by 2022 (sponsor summary). Transfer Pipeline Safety Program: House Bill 855 (Godshall­R­Montgomery) transferring the pipeline safety program from the Public Utility Commission to DEP (sponsor summary). Session Schedule Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House­­ Senate April 20, 21, 22 May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 House

April 20, 21, 22 May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Governor’s Schedule Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public Appearances. Senate/House Bills Moving The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate­­ House Flood Insurance Report: House Bill 717 (Pickett­R­Bradford) eliminating the annual Flood Insurance Program reports was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available. The bill now goes to the Senate for action. Senate EQB Counsel: Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak­D­Luzerne) providing for an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board (sponsor summary) was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Funding Sewer Laterals: Senate Bill 289 (Fontana­D­Allegheny) funding for sewage lateral line improvements and repair (sponsor summary) was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Transit Revitalization District: Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi­R­ Delaware) will modernize the Pennsylvania Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) Act (sponsor summary) was amended on the Senate Floor and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. News From The Capitol Bill To Transfer Moon Lake Park To DCNR Reported Out Of Senate Committee Senate Bill 699 (Yudichak­D­Luzerne), to complete the transfer of Moon Lake Park from Luzerne County to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Tuesday was voted out of the State Government Committee.

Sen. John Yudichak (D­Luzerne) worked with senators Lisa Baker (R­Luzerne), John Blake (D­Lackawanna) and John Gordner (R­Columbia) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to introduce Senate Bill 699 that releases the park from the restrictions of

the state’s Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act. The Plymouth Township Park was purchased by Luzerne County in 1968, the same year

federal and state funds had become available through Project 70. The bill is the next step in the process that began in January when DCNR signed an initial

acceptance agreement with Luzerne County for the transfer and announced that $1 million from the Bureau of Forestry has been earmarked for improvements.

“Working with DCNR, my senate colleagues and our county partners, we have a solid plan to improve Moon Lake. The park will benefit from the state investment to build a new boat ramp and create new trails and trailheads. The funding will also be used to make other improvements that will complete the historic restoration of Moon Lake Park,” said Sen. Yudichak.

“As a lifelong resident of Plymouth Township, I grew up at Moon Lake Park and was lucky to have a beautiful park right in my backyard. Now the families of Luzerne County will once again have the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful natural resource for years to come,” concluded Yudichak.

The bill is now on the Senate Calendar for consideration. House Committee Sets April 22 Info Meeting On Mariner East Pipeline Project On April 22 the House Consumer Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold an information meeting on the “status and economic benefits of the Mariner East Pipeline Project.”

The meeting will be in Room B­31 of the Main Capitol staring at 9:15. Rep. Robert Godshall (R­Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Peter Daley

(D­Washington), serves as Minority Chair. House Environmental Committee Meets On Leachate Transportation Bill April 22 The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 398 (Killion­R­Delaware) to allow for vehicular transportation of landfill leachate (sponsor summary) on April 22.

The meeting will be held in Room 60 East Wing starting at 10:30. Rep. John Maher (R­Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair and Rep. Greg Vitali

(D­Delaware) serves as Minority Chair. April 20 Environmental Issues Forum Features Chesapeake Bay Foundation­PA The April 20 “Earth Day” Environmental Issues Forum hosted by the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee will feature a presentation by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The CBF recently conducted an innovative, peer­reviewed study on the economic benefit associated with reducing pollution levels in the bay. According to the report, full implementation of the federal government’s Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint could result in a $22.5 billion dollar increase in annual economic benefit for the six states that comprise the bay region, including Pennsylvania.

Spencer Phillips, an economist with Key­Log Economics, along with Harry Campbell,

Director Of CBF’s Pennsylvania Office, Lee Ann Murray, Assistant Director, Amanda John, CBF­PA Outreach & Advocacy Manager.

The Forum will be in Room 8E­A East Wing of the Capital starting at Noon. Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R­Venango) serves as Chair of the Committee.

News From Around The State Choose Clean Water Conference May 19­20, Focus On Chesapeake Bay Watershed The Choose Clean Water Coalition and its over 200 members from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed will hold the 6th Annual Choose Clean Water Conference on May 19­20 at the Harrisburg Hilton.

Susan Stranahan will be the keynote speaker during Tuesday evening's dinner event. Susan was a member of The Philadelphia Inquirer team awarded a 1980 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Three Mile Island accident.

For 28 years, she was a reporter primarily covering environmental issues at The Inquirer. She taught environmental writing at the University of Pennsylvania and wrote a book, “Susquehanna River of Dreams.”

Susan is an inspiring speaker who is passionate about the Susquehanna and understands the importance of community engagement.

Attend the conference to learn new skills, see how clean water goals are being met locally, hear policy updates, and discuss best practices to reduce polluted runoff and increase conservation measures.

Sessions will include: ­­ Best practices for building new partnerships ­­ Passing, implementing, and communicating about stormwater utilities ­­ Responding to the impacts of natural gas pipelines on local communities ­­ Innovations in agriculture

Great field trips: ­­ Paddle on the Susquehanna River ­­ Take a walking tour of Harrisburg to see the local water infrastructure and the City's greening efforts ­­ See what the Gettysburg National Military Park is doing to create a sustainable environment ­­ Visit the Conewago Creek Initiative's best land management sites ­­ Join with a Harrisburg community group to pick up trash in their neighborhood

Visit the Choose Clean Water Conference webpage more more information and to register. Dominion, Western PA Conservancy Award Watershed Grants The Kittanning Paper Monday reported the Western PA Conservancy and the Dominion Foundation has awarded $30,000 to watershed groups in 15 counties in the Commonwealth, including Armstrong, as part of their Watershed Mini Grant Program.

Awardees included the Crooked Creek Watershed Association of Ford City – which received $500 to support the production and distribution of its biannual newsletter.

The organization received its award at the 11th annual Watershed Mini Grant Awards Ceremony Workshop and Luncheon April 8 at Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort and Conference Center in Blairsville, Indiana County.

The grant program provides assistance to the region’s grassroots watershed groups. The awards cover program expenses in three areas: operating costs, watershed restoration and organizational promotion and outreach.

This year’s grants included one showcase project – awarded to Tubmill Trout Club Unlimited in Westmoreland County – for which a $5,000 grant was awarded for a larger restoration project that focuses on stream corridor and water quality improvement technologies.

Other regional grants were awarded to three groups in Westmoreland County – ­ the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association in Westmoreland County for their educational brochures project, the Monastery Run Improvement Project with monitoring equipment and Westmoreland Cleanways for the Fugitive Tire Round­Up Program – two groups in Indiana County – the Blacklick Creek Watershed Association to further organizational outreach and promotion and the Evergreen Conservancy for marketing and project implementation – and the Connoquenessing Watershed Alliance in Butler for the Thorn Creek Habitat Improvement Project Phase 5

Financial support for this project is provided by the Dominion Foundation, which is dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by Dominion companies. NewsClips: Dominion, Western PA Conservancy Award Watershed Grants Bill Would Offer New Federal Protection For Delaware River Clarks Summit Receives EPA Notice On Stormwater Issues Bradford Watershed Associations Awarded Grants State Chips Away At Wild Trout Streams Farm Owners Charged With Septic Waste Dumping Editorial: No Tolerance For Illegal Sewage Dump Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal PAEE Recognizes Stroud Water Research Center Leaf Pack Stream Ecology Kit The PA Association of Environmental Educators recently awarded the Outstanding Environmental Education Program Award to the Stroud Water Research Center’s Leaf Pack Experiment Stream Ecology Kit and Stream Schools programs.

The Leaf Pack Experiment Stream Ecology Kit is based on the scientific research technique of using the different kinds and numbers of aquatic insects living on packs of leaves in the water to assess and monitor the health of streams and rivers.

Stroud Center subsequently created the Leaf Pack Network, which enables students and citizen scientists to post and compare data generated by leaf pack experiments performed in their local streams on the Web.

Stroud Center’s Stream School programs are unique for their hands­on, boots­in­the­water approach which gives visiting students an in­depth, real­world science experience.

What’s more fun: venturing into a stream to collect a sample or identifying the creatures that live in it? Students can find out during one of our stream studies.

Stroud Center is one of the few laboratories in the world devoted exclusively to research and education on stream and river ecology. Its education program was conceived in 1990 through the interest of a nearby school to have students learn more about local streams and rivers.

The ensuing education and outreach effort created a wide variety of freshwater ecology programs for students, teachers, public officials, environmental professionals, watershed groups and the general public.

During the past 25 years, our educators have translated Stroud Center’s scientific findings to the world, engaging more than 52,000 students and adults in freshwater ecology and stewardship.

“This award recognizes an exemplary environmental education program that could be used as a model for educators across the state,” said Taiji Nelson, director of public relations for the PAEE, who conferred the award to Libby Gregg, Stroud Center education programs assistant, during the organization’s annual conference.

The Leaf Pack Experiment teaches groups to use stream chemistry, habitat observations and macroinvertebrate populations to assess local stream health.

He added, “We believe your program deserves recognition for its use of innovative educational practices and technology to enhance hands­on engagement. Your commitment to increasing the reach of your programs to a wide audience is inspirational to other environmental educators.”

“I’m proud to have our education department honored by this award,” said Susan Gill, Ph.D., Stroud Center’s education director.

Stroud Center has launched multiple public service programs aimed at helping people — from local landowners to national and international organizations — implement best stewardship practices for streams, rivers and watersheds.

“I’m very pleased that our education department was recognized for its excellence,” said Bernard Sweeney, Ph.D., Stroud Center’s president and director. “Our resources and programs empower citizens across the globe to protect their watersheds.”

For more information, visit the Stroud Center website. DEP Honored For Clarion County Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced that its Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation has received the 2015 Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative Award for an abandoned mine project in Elk Township, Clarion County.

“This area has languished for nearly 50 years with dangerous highwalls, pits, and erosion issues,” DEP Deputy Secretary for Active and Abandoned Mine Operations John Stefanko said. “The work done at this site has not only enhanced the environment, but created a new, safe area of recreation for area residents and sportsmen alike.”

The award acknowledged the project’s successful use of the Forestry Reclamation Approach which allows for natural tree growth through soil blending and grading, planting ground cover, and diversifying tree varieties. This technique also reduced stormwater runoff into the nearby Deer Creek Watershed.

The Elk Township site was last mined by A.B. Weaver and Sons in 1967. Since that time, is has been scarred by a large pit, a 6­feet deep water impoundment, and tons of waste coal. The

site had very little vegetation, making erosion and sedimentation control a concern for resident safety and the quality of local waterways.

The site was reclaimed by grading the land to its original contour, backfilling the water impoundment, and planting trees and other vegetation. The project covered 17.4 acres, eliminated 1,300 linear feet of dangerously steep waste coal piles, ranging from 25 to 45 feet high, and included a planting of 9,200 trees.

Native tree species, selected to promote natural forest succession, included: northern red oak, white oak, red pine, eastern white pine (Virginia white pine), gray (sweet) birch, quaking aspen, red maple, tulip poplar, black cherry and sugar maple. Earthen berms were also installed and windrow wildlife habitats were created. Portions of the site were re­vegetated with grasses and legumes.

The project was designed and inspected by DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation staff in Cambria County. The work was conducted by Morgan’s Excavating of Shippenville, Clarion County.

This project was financed by the federal Abandoned Mine Land Grant. This grant program is funded by the coal industry via fees paid on each ton of coal mined.

The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative =Excellence in Reforestation Awards are presented each year to honor both active and abandoned coal mine reclamation operations from each state in the Appalachian Region that best exemplify the use of FRA in conducting reclamation operations.

ARRI is a coalition of groups, including citizens, the coal industry, and government agencies dedicated to restoring forests on coal mined lands in the Eastern United States. ARRI advocates using FRA to plant trees on reclaimed coal mined lands. Highly productive forestland can be created on reclaimed mine lands under existing laws and regulations by using FRA.

Click Here for a fact sheet on the project. Brodhead Watershed Assn Earth Day Festival, Creek 5K Run/Walk April 26 ForEvergreen Nature Preserve and the Brodhead Creek Watershed Association will hold its first Earth Day celebration and Creek 5K race from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26, at the new preserve on Cherry Lane Road, Analomink, Monroe County.

Runners will enjoy a scenic race through the former golf course. Register online, or sign up between 8 and 9 a.m. the morning of the race. Kids Dash will start at 9:30 a.m., with the Creek 5K at 10 a.m. Awards will be given at 10:45 a.m.

After the race, enjoy the Earth Day festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with many activities: a fly fishing demonstration, guided hike, composting workshop, rain barrel presentation, and a show and sale by local artists.

Strolling musicians The Lost Ramblers will provide entertainment. Artisan food will be available from local vendors including Josie Porter Farm, Jimmy’s Ice Cream and Mikuna Kitchen.

For information, call BWA at 570­839­1120 or PHLT at 570­424­1514, or send email to: info@phlt.org.

Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Assn. Hosts Rain Garden Workshops May 3, 17

A rain garden is a great way to beautify your yard and keep pollutants out of local streams. Learn how to create your own rain garden at one of two workshops hosted by the Chester­Ridley­Crum Watersheds Association this spring.

Media Borough and Nether Providence Township in Delaware County feature demonstration rain gardens at their municipal headquarters and will host the workshops, which will include indoor and outdoor presentations.

A rain garden is a depression planted with grasses, flowers, and shrubs that allows rainwater from hard surfaces to absorb into the ground instead of flowing into streams.

Rain gardens improve water quality in nearby streams and also serve as a beautiful alternative to lawns, enhancing curb appeal in residential neighborhoods. After large storms all of the water in a properly designed rain garden will absorb within 48 hours so they do not harbor mosquitoes.

Workshops will be held: — May 3: 1­3 p.m. at Nether Providence Township Building, 214 Sykes Lane, Wallingford; and — May 17: 2­4 p.m. at Media Borough Hall, 301 N. Jackson St., Media.

Funding for these workshops is provided by the League of Women Voters of PA Citizen Education Fund through a Section 319 Federal Clean Water Act grant from the Department of Environmental Protection, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

To register for a free workshop, visit the CRC Watersheds Association website or call 610­359­1440. The first 25 families to register for each workshop will receive a free native plant to start their own rain garden. April 25 Creek Clean Up In Wissahickon Watershed Planned In Montco, Philly The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are once again joining forces to clean the Wissahickon Creek on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

All volunteers are invited to join us after the clean­up for the “Talkin’ Trash” picnic at Fort Washington State Park at the Flourtown pavilion on Mill Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This spring marks the 45th anniversary of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association’s annual creek clean­up, which is sponsored by Merck and Co. It is the 6th year that Friends of the Wissahickon has joined forces with WVWA to clean the Wissahickon Creek.

The Friends of the Wissahickon will clean up a section of the creek in Chestnut Hill, at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive at 9 a.m.

Please register online and indicate if you plan to attend the picnic. Contact volunteer coordinator, John Holback, with questions at 215­247­0417 x107 or at holback@fow.org.

In Montgomery County, volunteers of all ages will be pre­assigned sections of the Wissahickon Creek or a tributary, extending from Lansdale to Flourtown. Sign­up online or contact Madalyn Neff or send email to: madalyn@wvwa.org. Please indicate the name, size and age range of your group and whether you will join the picnic. You will be contacted regarding your clean up location assignment.

Registration is not required but is recommended in order to be notified in case of any changes due to weather. The event will be canceled in the event of heavy rain. Check FOW’s or WVWA’s website for updates.

Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate. Volunteers will be assigned to clean

sections of the area and will be given bags in which to collect trash. Sponsors of this event provide funding for WVWA’s stewardship efforts throughout the

year. The presenting sponsor is Merck & Co. Volunteers from Merck’s West Point plant located at the headwaters of the Wissahickon Creek will help with the clean­up.

Conservationist sponsors include Covanta, DOW Chemical Company, First Niagara Bank and MSS Movers Specialty Service. Both DOW and First Niagara Bank will also send employee volunteers to help with the clean­up.

Additional sponsorship is provided by Aqua Pennsylvania, Ambler Savings Bank, Artman Lutheran Home, BBD, LLP, Caddick Construction, First Priority Bank, Manufacturer’s Golf & Country Club, North Penn Water Authority, The Philadelphia Cricket Club, Rotary Club of Blue Bell and Russell Roofing.

Companies interested in sponsoring the creek clean up should contact Gina Craigo at WVWA by sending email to: GinaGraigo@wvwa.org.

For more information on activities and events, visit the Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association websites.

iConservePA.org Video: Protecting The Ecological Diversity Of French Creek SEEDS, the monthly newsletter of iConservePA.org features a WVIAA Greenlife Pennsylvania video about French Creek in Northwestern PA, nationally known as one of the most ecologically diverse waterways in the country.

French Creek is often referred as the Colonial Stream because it has remained largely unchanged since the days of Colonial America.

Click Here to learn more about Greenlife Pennsylvania videos. Click Here to sign up for your own SEEDS newsletter. Westmoreland High School Students Compete In County Envirothon Eighty students from eight area high schools are in the final days of preparation for the annual Westmoreland County­wide outdoor environmental competition known as the Envirothon.

This exciting academic event, which has been hosted by the Westmoreland Conservation District since 1986, pits teams of ninth­ to twelfth­grade students against each other in outdoor settings that test their knowledge of the natural world.

This year’s competition will be held at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg on April 27, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding with an awards lunch.

During the hands­on competition, students may be asked to measure a tree, analyze organisms from a stream, or feel handfuls of soil to identify the type.

They will work as a team to answer questions of fact and use their critical­thinking skills to find solutions to reality­based challenges, such as how to balance use and conservation of our natural resources.

Topics include forestry, soil and land use, aquatic ecology, wildlife, and this year’s environmental issue: community and urban forestry.

Area teachers coach the student teams, with materials provided by the Envirothon. This year, one of those teachers, Amy Kerschner of Franklin Regional High School, is attending the event for the first time as a teacher coach.

But it’s not the first time she’s participated in an Envirothon. In 2007, she was a student on the Franklin Regional team that took second place in that year’s Westmoreland County event. Her teacher coach was Tom Pearson, an outdoor enthusiast who brought winning teams to the Envirothon for more than 20 years.

The 80 students scheduled to participate in this competition represent Burrell High School, Franklin Regional High School, Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Greater Latrobe High School, Mount Pleasant Area High School, Norwin High School, Southmoreland High School, and Yough Senior High School.

Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas will present awards to the top three teams.

The winning Westmoreland County team will go on to compete in the Pennsylvania State Envirothon at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and Windber Recreation Park on May 19 and 20.

This year’s Westmoreland County Envirothon received funding support from Pennsylvania Envirothon, Inc. and Apex Energy, LLC.

A number of cooperating agencies also assist the Westmoreland Conservation District in hosting the event, including: Penn State Cooperative Extension, the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

To learn more about Envirothon activities statewide, visit the PA Envirothon website. April 14 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension The April 14 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on­­ ­­ Combined Sewer Systems Lead To Risk Of Illness After Heavy Rains ­­ Volunteers Needed For 2015 Great Lakes Children’s Water Festival ­­ USGS Release Tool For Estimating Atrazine Levels In Streams, Rivers ­­ Sewage Could Be Source Of Valuable Metals, Critical Elements ­­ Click Here to sign up for your own copy. Tale Of The Traveling Lunchbox In Lake Erie, What It Tells Us About Pollution Last fall, Department of Environmental Protection staffers Don Benczkowski and Matt Walderon made an interesting discovery. During a visit to the mouth of Eight Mile Creek in Erie on Oct. 22, they came across a collapsible Thermos cooler that contained an old lunch, a hotel key card, prescription work glasses, and contact information for Glen and Lisa Campbell of Ontario, Canada.

Benczkowski and Walderon set out to contact the Campbells to see if they could return the lunchbox. They learned that Glen Campbell was working on a

Great Lakes freighter docked in Sarnia, Ontario in March 2014. During his time on the freighter, his cooler went missing.

The Campbells now know what became of the lunchbox, and were stunned to find out that it had traveled more than 365 miles through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and finally deposited on Shades Beach near that mouth of Eight Mile Creek in Lake Erie.

The traveling lunchbox illustrates an important lesson about water flow and how pollution travels.

Fortunately, Benczkowski and Walderon were recently able to return the lunchbox to the Campbells. (Reprinted from the April 16 DEP News. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.) DEP Encourages Pennsylvanians To Participate In Local Cleanups For Earth Month The Department of Environmental Protection encourages all Pennsylvanians to participate in a local cleanup or beautification event as part of the Great American Cleanup of PA.

“Celebrate Earth Month by organizing or participating in a cleanup in your hometown,” DEP Acting Secretary John Quigley said. “Thanks to the thousands of volunteers who donate their time and efforts each year, every Pennsylvanian has great opportunity to make a big impact in communities across the state.”

Local cleanups are taking place in every county between now and May 31. Anyone can organize and register their cleanup event to receive free cleanup supplies

such as bags, gloves and vests. Registered cleanups taking place during “Pick It Up, PA days” April 11 to May 4 have access to reduced or free disposal at participating landfills.

The Great American Cleanup of PA is a collaboration of the departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation, and the non­profit organization Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

To promote the cleanups, DEP and PENNDOT produced a 30­second public service announcement, airing on Pennsylvania television and radio stations through the end of April. To view the PSA, go to DEP’s YouTube channel.

“PennDOT and its volunteers in the Adopt­A­Highway program are passionate about our environment,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “We are proud to work with our partners at DEP to raise awareness and provide supplies to help us all take an active role in keeping our communities healthy and beautiful.”

Since the inaugural cleanup in 2004, more than 1.5 million volunteers have picked up 80.5 million pounds of litter and waste, along 146,259 miles of roads, waterways, shorelines, and trails and planted more than 136,300 trees, bulbs, and flowers. Volunteers also removed more than 202,350 tires and 130,218 pounds of scrap metal.

All the tools needed to register and organize a cleanup are available on the Great American Cleanup of PA’s website. To learn about other events taking place during Earth Month, visit DEP’s Earth Day Central webpage. Sheetz, Inc. Supports Great American Cleanup Of PA Volunteers

Sheetz, Inc. has donated 6,000 coupons for in­store food and beverages in support of Keep PA Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup of PA volunteers.

Additionally, Sheetz, Inc. provided direct support for the 59th Presque Isle Spring Cleanup in Erie County this past weekend and plans to support the upcoming Swatara Sojourn beginning South of Pine Grove and ending in Annville, Lebanon County on May 2­ 3.

Sheetz employees also joined Keep Blair County Beautiful, a program of the Intermunicipal Relations Committee, this past weekend for cleanups within the Mill Run Watershed. In all, their donation is valued at over $5,000.

“Sheetz is thrilled to partner with Keep PA Beautiful,” said Ryan Sheetz, Director of Brand Strategy. “Being connected in the communities in which we operate is an important part of the Sheetz DNA. We encourage our local team members to get out in their local areas and not only be ambassadors for Sheetz, but good members of the community. We believe that what we do now for the state of Pennsylvania is important and will impact future generations.”

“We value the partnership with Sheetz, Inc. Their donation of coupons provides valuable support to those participating in the Great American Cleanup,” states Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Sheetz, Inc. share the goal of promoting a sustainable environment and livable communities. The Great American Cleanup empowers citizens to do that locally.”

Additional 2015 event supporters include: the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, PA Waste Industries Association, the PA Food Merchants Association, Weis Markets, Inc., Republic Services, Steel Recycling Institute, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Giant Eagle Inc., Giant Food Stores, Inc., Wawa, Wegmans Food Markets and The Fresh Grocer and ShopRite.

The 2015 Great American Cleanup of PA runs from March 1st to May 31st. During this period, registered events can get trash bags, gloves, and safety vests from PennDOT district offices, as supplies last. Events can be litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, beautification projects, special collections, and educational events.

As part of this event, the Department of Environmental Protection and the PA Waste Industries Association will sponsor Let’s Pick It Up PA – Everyday from April 11th­ May 4th. During the Pick It Up PA Days, registered events will be able to take the trash collected during their cleanup to participating landfills for reduced or free disposal.

Since the inception of this event in 2004, more than 1,565,967 volunteers removed 80,575,227 pounds of litter from the Pennsylvania landscape and planted 136,321 trees, bulbs, and flowers.

For more information, visit the Great American Cleanup of PA website or contact Michelle Dunn, Great American Cleanup of PA Program Coordinator, at 1­877­772­3673 ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. Weis Markets Renews Support For Keep PA Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup of PA Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful recently that Weis Markets, Inc., has renewed their partnership with Keep PA Beautiful as well as donated refreshments for registered participants of the Great American Cleanup of PA in select areas across the state.

“Weis Markets is pleased to partner with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful again this year ,” said Patti Olenick, Sustainability Manager. “It is part of our corporate commitment to

sustainability, being good stewards of the environment and giving back to the communities we serve. We’ve been serving Pennsylvania communities for more than 100 years and we are excited to be part of the Great American Cleanup of PA.”

“We value the partnership with Weis Markets, Inc. Their donation of gift cards provides a fun and valuable incentive to participate in the Great American Cleanup,” states Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Weis Markets share the goal of promoting a sustainable environment and livable communities. The Great American Cleanup empowers citizens to do that locally.”

Weis Markets, Inc. joins other 2015 event supporters: the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, PA Waste Industries Association, the PA Food Merchants Association, The Fresh Grocer, ShopRite, Sheetz, Wawa, Republic Services, Steel Recycling Institute, Giant Eagle, Giant Food Stores, Inc., Wegmans and the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority.

Since the inception of this event in 2004, over 1.565,950 million volunteers have picked up 80,575,227 million pounds of litter and waste and over 202,350 tires from Pennsylvania’s landscape. In addition, more than 136,300 trees, bulbs, and flowers have been planted.

To register your event, find an event near you, report your results, or to find additional resources on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Great American Cleanup of PA webpage. Any additional questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn, Great American Cleanup of PA Program Coordinator, at 1­877­772­3673 ext. 113 or by sending email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. One Man’s Trash Art Exhibit At Fairmount Water Works In Philadelphia Mt. Airy resident Brad Maule spent 2014 collecting trash throughout the Wissahickon Valley Park. Now, the 255 water bottles, the 117 candy bags, strewn items of clothing, the styrofoam, the glass bottles, the discarded chip bags, cans—everything but the discarded bags of dog poop—will be the subject of an exhibit that opens on April 22 at the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia.

Maule, a journalist and photographer who lives near the Wissahickon and hikes there several times a week, amassed over 3,700 pieces of trash during his year­long mission to clean up one of his favorite places and raise awareness about it.

With support from Friends of the Wissahickon and Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, Maule stashed his trash in a park shed over the course of the year.

“Brad has helped bring attention to how much trash is strewn throughout the park—and how that ultimately can affect a user’s experience in the Wissahickon,” said Friends of the Wissahickon executive director, Maura McCarthy. “We’re grateful for his dedication to this issue and we hope this exhibit will raise awareness and serve as a reminder to people to act as responsible park users and take their trash home with them.”

“What I hope to accomplish with this project is to get people to think about the waste we each create—that even when we do the right thing, be it trash or recycling or composting, it still ends up somewhere,” Maule said. “That, and to not litter.”

Maule has written about his project on his website, Philly Skyline. The exhibit, which will include photos and information about the Wissahickon Valley Park, runs through June 26.

Persistence Results In Removal Of Environmental Hazard In Monroe County A property that has been an environmental hazard for decades in Pocono Township, Monroe County, has finally been torn down thanks to the persistence of DEP Solid Waste Management staff who work in the department's Bethlehem District Office.

Contaminants such as old paint, construction and demolition debris, oil and other trash, were buried on a property located on Sullivan Trail since the 1990s. The house was condemned the owners refused to clean up the mess. DEP tried for years to gain access to the property but the owners wouldn't cooperate. A new owner purchased the property last year, but again, would not allow DEP on the land.

A court order from Monroe County Court finally gave DEP access to the site. Thanks to the hard work of Environmental Specialist Meg Boyer and Environmental Compliance Specialist Jim Kunkle, a contractor was able to move in with a dozer last month and knock the house down. He also hauled away 116.5 tons of contaminated demolition debris.

The clean­up work was necessary, not just to preserve the land, but to prevent soil erosion from contaminating nearby Dry Sawmill Run, a high­quality creek that runs near the property. (Reprinted from the April 16 DEP News. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.) DEP Open House On Keystone Landfill Expansion April 27 Lackawanna County The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it will host a public availability session regarding Keystone Sanitary Landfill’s permit application to expand its facility located in Dunmore and Throop Boroughs in Lackawanna County.

The event will take place on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Throop Community Civic Center, 500 Sanderson Street, Throop.

Representatives from the state Department of Health and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will also participate.

The department will have various booths set up throughout the community center so individuals can ask questions to representatives from the DEP, DOH and the ATSDR.

“The open house will give residents a chance to ask questions one­on­one and talk with staffers from all three agencies,” DEP Northeast Regional Director Mike Bedrin said. “This is another step to ensure residents are informed about the permitting process involved in the expansion application.”

A copy of the permit application can be viewed at DEP’s Northeast Regional Office (NERO) in Wilkes­Barre. Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents can do so between the hours of 8 a.m.­4 p.m. by calling 570­826­2511. A copy of the permit application is also available on the department’s website.

Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Colleen Connolly or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1­800­654­5984 (TDD).

St. Ferdinand Church Hosts Electronic Waste Recycling Event April 18 In Butler County Get a jumpstart on your spring cleaning and do something good for the environment at the same time. St. Ferdinand Church of Cranberry is proud to announce a data security and electronics waste recycling event on April 18 on their premises at 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, Butler County.

Area residents are encouraged to bring their obsolete and unwanted electronics to the church from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vehicle unloading assistance will be provided to all visitors.

This recycling event is intended for items typically purchased throughout the year including computer equipment, LED and LCD flat screen TVs and monitors, cell phones, small appliances, cameras, air conditioners, calculators, typewriters, fax machines, keyboards, computer peripherals, microwaves, and more.

On­site hard drive shredding will be performed by CyberCrunch at a cost of $10 per hard drive. Commonwealth Computer Recycling personnel will be onsite to help remove hard drives from computer. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Ferdinand Church.

For security purposes, all data collected will be destroyed. This convenient recycling program is provided by St. Ferdinand Church and all items collected will be responsibly recycled by Commonwealth Computer Recycling, a Pennsylvania compliant, R2 certified universal waste and recycling firm.

To learn more, visit the Commonwealth Computer Recycling website or phone 866­925­2354 for more information. April 16 DEP News Now Available The April 16 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on­­ ­­ DEP Sets Dates, Places For Hearings On Revised Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations ­­ DEP Persistence Results In Removal Of Environmental Hazard In Monroe County ­­ DEP Encourages Pennsylvanians To Participate In Great American Cleanup Of PA ­­ DEP Denies PA Waste’s Municipal Waste Landfill Application In Clearfield County ­­ DEP Holds Open House On Keystone Landfill Expansion April 27 ­­ PA Manufacturers Recognized As By DOE As Leaders In Energy Management ­­ PACD Announces 30 Mini Watershed Grant Awards ­­ Early Bird Rates For PA Brownfields Conference End April 17 ­­ Tale Of The Traveling Lunchbox In The Great Lakes ­­ State Transportation Commission Seeks Input On 12­Year Program ­­ Click Here to sign up for your own copy. PennFuture: $3.25 Billion Fossil Fuel Subsidies In PA State Budget PennFuture Tuesday issued an updated version of its Fossil Fuel Subsidy Report, which indicates that the dollar amount of subsidies to the highly­profitable, mature fossil fuel industry continues to balloon, having now reached $3.25 billion annually in Pennsylvania.

In 2012, the statewide environmental organization's report showed annual fossil fuel

subsidies in Pennsylvania to be $2.9 billion, at the time roughly 10 percent of the state budget. The subsidies are being granted at a time when the state faces a $1.5 billion budget

shortfall and investment in emerging renewable energy industries such as solar and wind are at fractional levels.

"This report is about transparency," said Rob Altenburg, director of the PennFuture Energy Center. "Creating billions of dollars worth of fossil fuel subsidies while neglecting sensible long­term investments is a choice that has consequences not only for the citizens of Pennsylvania today but for our children and future generations. The people should be informed and have a say before this choice is made for them, and we hope this report launches that conversation."

While the report states that it cannot account for all subsidies including those for remediation of the impacts of fossil fuel extraction, it is able to make clearer the absence of any equivalency between support for fossil fuels and renewable energy industries such as solar and wind.

"To say that renewable energy sources only compete when subsidized is false," said Evan Endres, program manager for the PennFuture Energy Center. "Renewable energy sources have thrived when smart policy signals that encourage healthy market growth create a level playing field instead of one distorted in favor of fossil fuels. Decades of subsidies, market supports, and burdensome legacy costs have distorted the playing field. This report is a snapshot of a single year of such distortions."

The report further notes that the cost of these fossil fuel subsidies translates to $794 per Pennsylvania taxpayer.

PennFuture acting president and CEO John Norbeck was blunt in his assessment. "We need to evaluate the total costs of ongoing subsidies, especially with respect to unconventional shale gas development, in the hopes of avoiding the historical remediation and reclamation costs the state, and taxpayers, have endured on abandoned oil, gas and coal extraction sites. We can't go down that road again."

The full report is available online. Half Crude Oil Trains Bound For Refineries In Philadelphia Region The Associated Press reported Sunday about half of the crude oil moved by rail in the United States is bound for refineries near Philadelphia; nearly 17 million barrels in January alone.

The Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River reported a 37 percent decline in oil tanker traffic since 2009.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the former Sunoco property in South Philadelphia, cut imports from 99 million barrels in 2009 to 40 million barrels last year, according to the EIA. Monroe Energy L.L.C., the Delta Air Lines subsidiary that acquired the former ConocoPhillips refinery in Trainer, cut imports from 59 million barrels in 2009 to 26 million last year.

Sunoco is expanding its Mariner East pipeline to deliver 345,000 barrels a day of propane, ethane, and butane to Marcus Hook by 2016's end. Most will be exported. NewsClips: More Oil Moves By Rail And It Moves To Philly Refineries Feds Issue Speed Limits For Crude Oil Trains Transportation Officials Issue Oil Train Safety Measures

2nd Major Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast Kinder Morgan Ponders 2nd Pipeline In Ohio Kinder Morgan Moves Forward With Pipeline Plans 2nd Major Gas Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast West Goshen Vote Put Off On Pipeline Settlement Canada’s Consul Touts Keystone XL Pipeline In PA Visit Refinery Workers to Vote On Last, Best, Final Offer Philly Refinery Creates Toxic Air As Well As Jobs Gas Industry Urges Speedy Approval Of LNG Export Terminals Op­Ed: LNG Plant Could Bring Positive Energy To Philly PA Manufacturing Plants Recognized By DOE As Leaders In Energy Management The U.S. Department of Energy recently recognized four Pennsylvania manufacturing plants for their leadership in energy management by earning certification to Superior Energy Performance.

The companies include­­ — Curtiss­Wright, Electro­mechanical Division, Cheswick, Allegheny County; — General Dynamics, Scranton Operations Plant, Scranton, Lackawanna County; — Land O’ Lakes, Carlisle Dairy Operations, Carlisle, Cumberland County; and — Mack Trucks, Macungie Cab & Vehicle Assembly Plant, Macungie, Lehigh County.

The SEP program requires organizations to meet the global standard for energy management systems, ISO 50001, and improve energy performance over a sustained period.

DOE highlighted this recognition at the Strategic Energy Management Showcase hosted by Penn State, and also recognized the vision and effort of the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and DEP in advancing energy savings and security. Through these leaders and accomplishments, Pennsylvania now stands as the state with the most industrial plants in the nation to earn certification to SEP.

“These four plants are leading the way for Pennsylvania industry,” DEP Deputy Policy Director Hayley Book said. "By conserving energy resources and cutting emissions, they are boosting productivity and competitiveness—creating a healthy, vibrant manufacturing sector that generates good jobs and helps meet state energy and environmental goals. We are excited to be leading the country in SEP certifications and give credit to the leadership and vision of our industrial partners.”

(Reprinted from the April 16 DEP News. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.) Keystone Energy Education Program Workshop In Butler County May 12 The Department of Environmental Protection Monday invited middle school teachers, administrators and building managers to a May 12 training workshop in Slippery Rock, Butler County on the Keystone Energy Education Program to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The workshop is offered free of charge and will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Harmony House at Macoskey Center, 247 Harmony Road, Slippery Rock. Harmony House is located on the Slippery Rock University campus.

KEEP is primarily for teachers of grades 4 through 8, administrators and building maintenance managers. Through presentations, tour of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design­certified building, and hands­on activities, workshop participants will learn about energy basics, conservation, efficiency, student energy teams, benchmarking using Energy Star Portfolio Manager, and using the building as a teaching tool.

Participants will have the opportunity to integrate high­level, standards­based energy education into their formal curriculum. This could include lesson plans, curricular modules, energy benchmarking through EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager, or hands­on student­led energy efficiency assessments leading to improvements that reduce energy consumption.

The workshops are based on Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology and Engineering Education.

Participating teachers will receive background information, standards­based curricular materials and energy conservation kits that contain a Kill­a­Watt meter, light meter, multimeters, power conserving plug­in wall switches, and thermometers (each kit valued at $75).

Participating teachers will be eligible for 6.5 Act 48 credit hours. Lunch can be purchased in the campus dining hall. Space is limited, so registrations will

be accepted on a first­come, first­serve basis. Pre­registration is required. Click Here to register. More Workshops Other Keystone Energy Education Program workshops will be held­­

­­ May 28: Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 West Willow Grove Ave., Philadelphia (Register by May 21). Please bring your lunch. To register, Click Here ­­ June 17: Ferguson Township Elementary School, 215 W Pine St., Pine Grove Mills (Register by June 10). Please bring your lunch. To register, Click Here.

For more information, visit DEP’s Keystone Energy Education Program webpage. PECO Receives EPA 2015 Energy Star Partner Of The Year Award The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced PECO has been selected as a 2015 Energy Star Partner of the Year. PECO, along with sister Exelon utilities BGE, based in Baltimore, and ComEd, based in Chicago, will be honored for their long­term commitment to energy efficiency at the EPA awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 20.

“Using Energy Star resources, PECO is broadening access to energy­saving approaches that grow the economy and protect the climate.”

Since the inception of PECO Smart Ideas in 2009, the company’s highly successful suite of energy efficiency programs has received seven awards in total and now receives its third Partner of the Year Award in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency efforts.

The company is commended for its continuous contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering information, services and products to its customers to increase energy efficiency.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by the EPA for our efforts to help our customers save energy and money,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “The success of PECO Smart Ideas is really a true testament to the commitment of our customers to take the important steps to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses and join us in having a positive impact on our environment.”

PECO Smart Ideas offers programs to help residential, business, government, nonprofit and institutional customers save energy and money.

Since 2009, PECO customers have saved more than $420 million through energy efficiency and PECO Smart Ideas rebates, and reduced their electricity use by more than 1.8 million megawatt hours. This energy savings has the same environmental benefit as planting more than 1.9 million trees or not driving more than 2 billion miles.

In addition to the EPA award, PECO Smart Ideas has been honored by energy industry leaders and other organizations, including: — 2014 Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance Energy Champion Award — 2014 E­Source Outdoor Ad Award — 2013 E­ Source Overall Ad Campaign Award — 2012 Peak Load Management Alliance Outstanding Program Achievement Award — 2011 E­Source Best Radio Ad Award — 2010 Chartwell Utility Best Practices Award for Marketing Excellence — 2010 E­Source Print Ad Award

“PECO is helping transform the market for energy efficiency by leading in implementing Energy Star programs,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Using Energy Star resources, PECO is broadening access to energy­saving approaches that grow the economy and protect the climate.”

For more energy saving ideas, visit the PECO Smart Ideas webpage.

Free Smart Landscaping Can Save Energy Workshop April 21 Wayne County Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support and the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society are co­sponsoring a free seminar titled: Smart Landscaping: How Landscaping Can Save Energy on April 21.

It will take place from 7­9 p.m. at the Wayne County Conservation District office, located in the Park Street Complex, 648 Park Street.

This is a free seminar that will teach you about permaculture, healthy backyard habitats, and simple landscaping techniques for energy savings.

You will learn how to plant for optimal heating and cooling needs, what types of trees to plant and where.

Presenters will also discuss native versus non­native plant species, and how buying plant and materials from local sources decreases energy needed for transport.

Presenters include Jason Curtis, PLA, LEED AP, Land Scape Artist; Katharine Dodge, Chair of SEEDS and member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society; Robert Muller, Manager of the Wayne Conservation District.

Registration is encouraged, but not required. Please send email to: jocelyn@seedsgroup.net or call SEEDS at (570) 245­1256.

SEEDS is a non­profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable energy and living in Northeast Pa. SEEDS works with businesses and residents to reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency and grow our renewable energy infrastructure.

For more information, visit the SEEDS Smart Landscaping: How Landscaping Can Save Energy or the Upcoming Events webpage for information on other programs.

PA Horticultural Society Arbor Day Tree Planting April 24, 25 In Bucks, Chester Counties Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is celebrating the wonders of trees this spring in support of the Plant One Million campaign by planting 50 trees at Bensalem School District Administration building in Bucks County on April 24 and 50 trees in Charlestown Park on April 25 in Chester County.

Plant One Million aims to plant million trees in 3 states and 13 counties. The goal is to increase the tree canopy cover in the tri­state area to 30 percent.

All ages are welcome, registration is encouraged. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water and work gloves and to wear boots (work boots) or sneakers and dress for the weather. Bring along a shovel, and refillable water bottle ­­ Bucks County Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration April 24: Bensalem School District Administration Building and Valley Elementary School, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up by sending email to: Emma Melvin at: emelvin@pennhort.org. ­­ Chester County Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration April 25: Charlestown Township Park, Charlestown from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sign up by sending email to: Emma Melvin at: emelvin@pennhort.org.

For more information on other activities and programs, visit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society website. PA Wilds Recognizes Outstanding Efforts In Sustainable Tourism Development Business owners, citizens and organizations from across the 12 ½ county Pennsylvania Wilds region have earned awards for their contributions in sustainable tourism development and will be honored at an awards dinner and regional tourism briefing April 23.

Americans spend more than $640 billion a year on outdoor gear and trips and travel to get outdoors, and communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds are in great position to grow this industry given the region’s natural landscape and entrepreneurial background.

For the last decade, dozens of local, state and federal partners from the public and private sectors have worked together to do just that in order to create jobs, diversify local economies, improve quality of life and inspire stewardship in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Each year, the PA Wilds Team, a guiding partnership in this effort, gives out a small number of “Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds” awards to recognize outstanding efforts by local partners in this work.

Awards Committee Chair Bob Imhof said this was another year of strong nominations. “The work being done by local partners in the Pennsylvania Wilds region is truly

humbling,” Imhof said. “We’ve got people expanding businesses, helping us build the Pennsylvania Wilds brand through local and national media, donating equipment to support key tourism events, developing trails, inspiring our youth.

“The PA Wilds Team recognizes the tremendous effort put forth by so many dedicated individuals and groups and are proud to be able to honor them with these awards. Their hard work benefits residents and visitors alike.”

The 2015 Champion of the PA Wilds award winners are listed below. The winners will be recognized with a wooden plaque and citations from state and federal legislators at the PA Wilds Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet April 23 at the Red Fern in St Marys.

The award winners are— ­­ Mark Murawski ­ Outstanding Leader Award, Lycoming County: Mark started work as the County Transportation Planner with the Lycoming County Planning Commission and continues in that capacity today with three decades committed to public service. He manages the Williamsport Area Transportation Study, the official Metropolitan Planning Organization for Lycoming County that determines highway, bridge, railroad, airport and trail projects.

Mark is active on the PA Wilds Planning Team Trails Committee and as a representative for Lycoming County Planning on the Pine Creek Rail Trail Advisory Committee. He demonstrates strong leadership at the county level for interconnected trail systems to create economic opportunity.

He has been instrumental in the preparation of the Trails Chapter of the Lycoming County Recreation and Greenways Plan and in the creation of the Susquehanna Riverwalk, Riverwalk Extension, and the Pine Creek Trail extension into downtown Jersey Shore.

Mark assists the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership to envision and start planning for the Genesee­Susquehanna Greenway, running from Lake Ontario to the Genesee River and ultimately into Maryland. These projects have sparked positive PA Wilds­related economic development and could not have become a reality without his infectious passion, knowledge and leadership. ­­ Umbrella Rocks ­ Great Places Award, State Gamelands 44, Elk County: The Umbrella Rocks geological formation located 2 miles from downtown Ridgway, Elk County, Pennsylvania on State Gamelands 44, is an amazing example of Pottsville sandstone and the effects of wind and water over millions of years.

The “Umbrella Formation” is one of several geologic formations located on a ridge at 2,160 feet between the watersheds of the north and south branches of Island Run, tributaries to the Nationally Designated Wild and Scenic Clarion River.

Umbrella Rocks is accessible by hiking a trail that follows what may be the oldest railroad grade in Elk County that was surveyed in 1861 and constructed from coal fields in Shawmut to connect with the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.

The hike follows a Game Commission road past several Seneca Resources shallow wells and other smaller rock formations. Umbrella Rocks is an amazing site that is easily reached by the trail system.

The round trip hike highlights Mother’s Nature’s impact on the Allegheny Plateau of the Appalachian Mountains. Umbrella Rocks is an exceptional example of a great place to visit in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. ­­ Todd Deluccia ­ Conservation Stewardship Individual Award, Cameron County: Ninety percent is not good enough when it comes to the water quality in Cameron County’s waterways.

Todd Deluccia, Watershed Specialist for the Cameron County Conservation District, spends many hours, on and off the job, taking steps to clean up the remaining 10 percent of the county’s waterways.

Todd has been instrumental in acquiring funding for stream bank protection sites and has received several million dollars in grant monies to halt stream bank erosion in an environmentally­friendly way.

He has completed more than seven projects in Cameron County, restored nearly three miles of stream and has been a key partner in the treatment of acid mine drainage in the Sterling Run watershed.

Since 2006 Todd has managed projects totaling over $1 million and leveraged more than $3 million in grant funding. Todd doesn’t just oversee the projects, he is in the stream swinging a sledgehammer to drive rebar, drilling holes, placing rocks and logs and is literally jumping in with both feet.

Todd is also Chairman of Headwaters Resource, Conservation and Development’s Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Committee and participates in the statewide Envirothon. ­­ Apple Tractor; Chris Miller, Manager ­ Conservation Stewardship Organization Award, Jefferson County: While they may seem an unlikely nominee for the Champion of the Wilds Award, Apple Tractor, a business which rents heavy construction equipment has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Apple Tractor has donated the use of equipment to a key PA Wilds event, the Ridgway Chainsaw Carver Rendezvous, which attracts worldwide media attention. For the past eight years, Apple Tractor has donated a skid steer loader to move logs and finished carvings around downtown Ridgway.

This service has been invaluable in making the event run as smoothly as possible by letting organizers focus on the event instead of the daunting logistics of moving logs. Apple Tractor has also donated their equipment to the Tri­county Rails­to­Trails Association that created and maintains trails that attract countless visitors to the region.

Their donation has given Tri­county Rails­to­Trails help to quickly maintain and complete trails which would take volunteers much longer to finish.

Apple Tractor’s loan of equipment has given Tricounty the opportunity to increase volunteer participation, form new partnerships, secure additional funding, and keep expanding the trails with a goal to link up with the PA Wilds West trail and eventually downtown Pittsburgh. ­­ Forest County Industrial Development Corporation ­ Great Design Award: The Forest County Industrial Development Corporation has successfully utilized and captured the essence of the PA Wilds Design Guide in their creation of the Tionesta Market Village.

While transforming a burned­out lot into an asset for the community, the project maintained the community’s historic small town character. Economic development and downtown beautification were the goals and the IDC was conscious of the need to make buildings, site improvements and furnishings “fit” with the historic character of the community and planned accordingly.

The concept started with placing outdoor sheds to rent for small business start­ups and creating retail traffic in the downtown. The IDC made them consistent with the theme by customizing the sheds with false fronts common to the 1800s­era commercial buildings.

From there, more beautification was added along with picnic tables, a bandstand and play structures for children. This project has brought a restored pride in Tionesta, a sense of optimism, 14 business start­up opportunities, seasonal jobs, gathering space, and increased sales in neighboring businesses.

The Forest County Industrial Development Authority has also helped by waiving vendor permit fees, providing dumpster service throughout the season, and investing manpower and funds in the Market Village. ­­ Julie Mader­ Artisan of the Year Award, McKean County: Smethport resident and PA Wilds Juried Artisan Julie Mader is a thoughtful artist, passionate educator and vibrant community member.

Her work as an artisan fosters a strong sense of place and community pride along with her contributions to the art world that improve the quality of life across the region. Julie’s work is well known throughout the Wilds in projects such as “Power Within,” which was recognized as ‘Best of the Best’ by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

This is a piece focused on cancer­fighting plants created to honor and acknowledge the strength of patients, loved ones, and medical teams. A traveling exhibit, it has been displayed at hospitals, libraries and galleries throughout the region.

Julie’s painting “Summertime” was selected for the 2014 Art for the Airwaves poster and was available as a thank­you gift with a contribution to WPSU­FM during their spring donor drive.

As a gifted educator, Julie’s classes are consistently full and leave students inspired to create and to look at life with a positive perspective. Julie’s work, community focus and spirit exemplify the very best of the principles set forth in the Declaration of Principles for the Pennsylvania Wilds. ­­ TomBob Outdoors; Tim Smith and Brad Clinton ­ Business of the Year Award, Elk County: The Ridgway­based enterprise, TomBob Outdoors was born out of a bold business move by Tim Smith and Brad Clinton to diversify a traditional powdered metals company by adding an outdoors division to it.

TomBob Outdoors includes a line of patented, scented fishing lures manufactured locally by Continuous Metal Technologies along with other environmentally­friendly outdoor products like lead­free shot.

TomBob Outdoors launched a national television series, Friends in Wild Places, broadcasting on the Pursuit Channel, Destination America a Discovery Communications Network, and other smaller networks across the U.S.

The show takes viewers on hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures across the country including in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Tim Smith and Brad Clinton connected with the PA Wilds Team early on to find ways to tie into the PA Wilds brand and help promote the region through their television show.

Over the last two years they have become valued partners in helping attract visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds and in showcasing the many small businesses, rural traditions, events and landscapes for which the region is known. ­­ Stephen F. Robar and Wayne Brinda, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford ­ Inspiring Youth Award, McKean County: Professors Stephen F. Robar and Wayne Brinda at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, are providing their students with robust and real­life opportunities outside the classroom.

These have included innovative programs and projects like the development of Educational Resource Guides for popular school field trip destinations and working with communities to add their assets to the Trail Maker App.

These projects promote visitation to historic, cultural and natural sites in the PA Wilds while inspiring these young adults to be stewards of these incredible natural and historic assets in their backyards.

Instead of “busy” work, Professor Brinda wanted his students to impact the region positively. With that came the idea to support local school districts in a new requirement to have Education Resource Guides available for school field trip sites.

Through this project, Education Resource Guides have now been developed for the

PennBrad Oil Museum, the Eldred WWII Museum, and the Longhouse National Scenic Byway. Currently UPB students are working on a guide for the Kinzua Bridge State Park.

All of these guides have been very successfully in encouraging new school field trips around the region. ­­ PA Great Outdoors Elk Expo ­ Event of the Year Award, Elk County: 2014 marked the 14th Annual PA Great Outdoors Elk Expo and the 2nd year it was held at the Elk County Visitor Center.

With the help of many public and private partners at the local, state and national level, this two­day show has grown into a ‘must­see’ event boasting as many as 13,000 attendees.

As part of this event, Game Commission partners have brought the PA Elk Hunt Lottery Drawing back to the region in addition to organizing a raffle for an additional elk tag which last year sold 9000 tickets to support elk conservation.

The event also features educational seminars about conserving, protecting and enhancing elk country; programs that educate the youth about PA’s hunting heritage through hands­on training; artisan booths and demos; and wagon rides to see wildlife on the property.

Foot traffic to the Expo gives a major boost to local lodging, restaurant, retailers and other small businesses in the area. ­­ Jodi Brennan­ Member of the Year Award, Clearfield County: Jodi Brennan is Clearfield County’s planning director and serves as chair of the PA Wilds Design Guide Awareness Committee.

The Design Guide is an award­winning, voluntary planning document that helps communities to capitalize on growth opportunities without losing the characteristics that make them unique and contribute to our region’s strong sense of place.

Under Brennan’s leadership, the Design Guide has grown in its distribution and use. Among her many successful projects, Brennan spearheaded a Preserve America grant on behalf of regional partners, which helped create a program for design assistance and signage grants to communities.

Brennan also assisted the Oil & Gas Committee with the addition of a Design Guide Supplement for best practice by oil and gas partners. Thanks in no small part to Brennan’s leadership, we now have many great examples of the Design Guide in use throughout the region.

Brennan is now spearheading an effort to update the Design Guide to include many of these success stories in order to further spread ideas and best practices to communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds. ­­ The River 98.9 – Best Brand Ambassador, Cameron County: A regional brand can be a powerful economic development tool. But it takes time and a big reach to build name recognition. It helps greatly to have media partners who understand and believe in your brand.

This is especially true in rural PA, where people and businesses are more spread out and social media can still be limited in some areas due to connectivity issues.

For several years now, the River 98.9 “Your Hometown Radio Station” has promoted the Pennsylvania Wilds as a place in its radio ads, talk shows and other programming.

If you have driven through Elk or Cameron counties, you have probably heard announcers refer to stopping by this or that business “in the Pennsylvania Wilds,” or public service announcements for tourism activities in the region.

These messages are heard by hundreds of listeners each week. We thank WQKY­FM and WLEM­AM owner, John Salter, and operations manager, Gary Mitchell, and their staff for this

organic, grassroots support that is helping to build name recognition for the Pennsylvania Wilds. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Wilds website.

Caledonia State Park Seeks Volunteers For Friends Group In Adams, Franklin Counties The PA Parks and Forests Foundation and Caledonia State Park in Adams and Franklin counties will hold a meeting on April 23 from 6­8 pm, at Caledonia State Park to discuss the formation of a friends group for the park.

A friends group is a group of motivated citizens in the local community that understand and appreciate the value of a state park or forest. The goals of a friends group are unique to each park or forest. This meeting will serve as an opportunity to identify potential projects and assess the interest in forming a group at this park.

Founded in 1903, Caledonia is the second oldest state park in the Commonwealth. Several Civilian Conservation Corps structures still stand and are in use today. The park is popular with bird watchers, hikers along the Appalachian Trail, and trout fishermen.

Caledonia State Park will be hosting two main events this year: the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair and the Lincoln Highway Jubilee. Friends group members would help to maintain bird feeders, assist with the Arts & Crafts Fair, and staff the blacksmith shop on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Other volunteer opportunities will be discussed at the April 23 meeting.

Currently, there are 38 friends groups across the Commonwealth serving under the non­profit arm of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation.

In 2014, these hard­working volunteers raised over $350,000, hosted 112 special events (ranging from music and heritage festivals to children's fishing and Easter Egg hunts), and volunteered over 38,000 hours on the trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and other outdoor spaces of their state parks and forests.

The mission of PPFF is to promote and support the natural and cultural resources of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests through leadership in recreation, education, conservation and volunteerism.

Contact Phil Schmidt at Caledonia State Park with any questions or for more information: 717­352­216. DCNR Warning Anglers, Others Of High Wildfire Danger With the approach of Pennsylvania’s traditional statewide trout season opener on April 18, and a rash of recent wildfires, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is urging anglers, property owners and others to take steps to prevent forest and brush fires.

“We ask trout anglers and other forest visitors to be extremely careful because fire danger is increasing rapidly across much of the state,” said DCNR Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “One act of carelessness could prove disastrous among tinder­dry conditions in some of our forests, where wildfire dangers climb with each day of sun and wind. We remind folks also to be careful with campfires and backyard burning, and to take the proper precautions at all times.”

Open fires are forbidden on state forestland from March 1 through May 25, and when the fire danger is listed as high, very high or extreme.

In recent days, volunteer and Bureau of Forestry firefighters have responded to more than 30 fires that scorched more than 100 acres.

Advice from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry includes: — Clear the area around the fire prior to starting it; — Keep the fire small and never leave it unattended; — Before you strike a campfire match, first consider if it is too warm, dry or windy for a fire and if the surrounding area is free of leaves and other combustibles; — Make sure there is a ready source of water (bucket or hose) nearby and a rake to extinguish any embers that might escape; and — When you are done with the fire put it out with water until all ashes are cold to the touch.

Dunn noted that light rainfall in many areas, lack of green foliage in the spring, low humidity and sunny, windy days all combine to increase chances of forest and brush fires spreading. Such fires are almost always traced to human carelessness, she said.

Nearly 10,000 acres of state and private woodlands are burned by wildfires each year, and nearly 85 percent of all fires in Pennsylvania woodlands occur during the months of March, April and May. Almost all of these fires threaten people and their homes, as well as trees and wildlife.

State forestry officials urge landowners to check with local municipalities to see if outdoor burning is allowed, and to avoid entirely or use extreme caution when burning trash and debris – one of the most common causes of wildfires.

Residents are also advised to create “safe zones” around homes and cabins by removing leaves and other debris from the ground and rain gutters, stacking firewood away from structures and trimming overhanging branches.

The Bureau of Forestry is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires on Pennsylvania’s 17 million acres of private and state­owned woodlands.

For more information on wildfire prevention, contact local district foresters; call the Bureau of Forestry at 717­787­2925; or visit DCNR’s Wildland Fire webpage. DCNR: Tree Plantings At Flight 93 Memorial In Somerset County April 18­19 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday announced DCNR and TreeVitalize will be assisting with a large tree planting effort on April 18­19 at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County.

“In addition to their many environmental benefits, trees are a symbol of life and growth, which is so important at a site that requires reflection on the brave sacrifice made by the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93,” Dunn said.

DCNR will join the National Park Service, many partner agencies and hundreds of volunteers as they plant more than 22,000 seedlings at the site. DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is donating 10,700 seedlings grown at the department’s Penn Nursery in Centre County.

Six DCNR foresters will be on site during the two days acting as team leaders and providing information on how to plant seedlings.

Construction is ongoing at the Flight 93 National Memorial, which marks the spot where the plane went down in a field near Shanksville after the crew and passengers thwarted a plan by terrorists to crash in to the U.S. Capitol.

This planting represents a continuation of the partnership that began in 2009 between

DCNR and the National Park Service at the Flight 93 site. Since 2012 the DCNR Bureau of Forestry’s nursery has supplied thousands of seedlings

to help reforest the strip mined land surrounding the crash site, and DCNR foresters have led volunteers in planting the seedlings each spring.

TreeVitalize is a public­private partnership to help restore tree cover, educate citizens about planting trees as an act of caring for our environment, and build capacity among local governments to understand, protect and restore their urban trees. NewsClip: Volunteers To Plant 22,000 Trees At Flight 93 Memorial Del. Highlands Conservancy: Landowner Financial Benefits Of Land Conservation May 16 Learn how to keep cherished lands in the family, protect your lands and waters forever, and receive financial and estate planning benefits from doing so at the Financial Benefits of Land Conservation Workshop on May 16 from 9 a.m.­12 p.m. at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County, sponsored by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

Financial Planner Richard Eckersley will provide information about the financial benefits of conserving private lands and answer your questions. Delaware Highlands Conservancy Executive Director Sue Currier will discuss how conservation easements and agricultural easements are key tools for area residents.

Attendees will also enjoy a guided tour of the Grey Towers Mansion, and light refreshments will be provided.

This program is free and open to the public, but prior registration is required; please call 570­226­3164, 845­583­1010, or send email to: info@delawarehighlands.org to reserve your space. PA Horticultural Society Tree Tenders Classes Coming Up In Southeast The PA Horticultural Society has scheduled a series of Spring, Summer and Fall Tree Tender classes in the 5­county Philadelphia area to help residents learn tree biology, identification, planning, proper care and working with your community to promote tree planting.

The training is free and ISA, PA LA, and PLNA credit is available. This course is not appropriate for children under 16.

Click Here to register for Tree Tender training. PA’s Ernst Seeds To Sponsor Spring Lecture Series At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Ernst Conservation Seeds, headquartered in Meadville, Crawford County, Monday announced it will sponsor a premier lecture series this spring at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Berks County featuring three renowned experts in the native plant movement: Ann Raver, Bill Cullina, and Mark Fiely.

“Hawk Mountain is thrilled to partner with Ernst Conservation Seeds and it’s a natural fit as we work to expand and improve the Native Plant Garden at the Sanctuary, to educate visitors to the importance of natives, and to get more people outside and experiencing nature,” says President Jerry Regan.

“The annual series continues to grow and we thank Ernst Seeds for helping us to connect

visitors with experts in the field … people who cater to a gardening and conservation audience,” he adds.

The first lecture begins May 2 at 5 p.m. and will feature author and New York Times garden columnist Anne Raver who will present “My Life in Gardens: Stories from Around the Globe,” followed by a chance to have Anne sign copies of her book, Deep in the Green: An Exploration of Country Pleasures. Raver has been published in Country Gardens and Landscape Architecture magazines in addition to her column in the New York Times.

During her talk, she will take participants on a photographic journey across the country and beyond, sharing her favorite gardens and public spaces from the Amazon River to the Arctic Circle and from North Carolina woodlands to the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

On May 16, William Cullina, author and director of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, will present “Why You Can't Buy a Forest in a Can,” at 1 p.m. in the Hawk Mountain Education Building. Cullina is an award­winning gardener, acclaimed lecturer, and author of several books.

During his talk, he will explain how the forests of eastern North America are remarkable considering their 400 years of logging, plowing, pollution, and invasive pests, but that as human populations grow, so too, does continued pressure.

Cullina argues that individuals, communities and nations must take action now to curb this degradation and will share ways in which participants can use their own backyards and communities to restore the diversity of our woodlands.

Later that day, Cullina will present the third lecture in the series, “Sugar, Sex, and Poison: Shocking Plant Secrets Caught on Camera,” at 5 p.m in the Visitor Center gallery.

During this lecture, Cullina will outline the amazing array of adaptations that plants use to avoid being eaten but to also attract and nourish other, helpful animals that pollinate, disperse seeds or otherwise benefit the plant. He will explain how understanding this world of pollen, pigments, pheromones, sugars, and sex translates to sound organic practices from which everyone can all benefit.

Mark Fiely, horticulturist with Ernst Conservation Seeds, will present, “Establishment and Maintenance of Wildlife Friendly Meadows” on May 17 at 1 p.m. in the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Education Building.

Fiely will cover natural grasslands in Pennsylvania with a focus on a large area of little bluestem (Andropogon girardii) at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. The lecture will explore meadows with tall and short statured grasses and diversity.

"Diversity of flora begets diversity of fauna. Grass height can affect the type of diversity that will occur in the landscape," he explains. Fiely has been the horticulturist at Ernst Conservation Seeds since 1995 and has focused on diversifying the natural ecotypes available at the company. He also works to fulfill the company's mission by educating customers on the value of using native species.

Ernst Conservation Seeds grows, processes and sells more than 400 species of native and naturalized seeds and live plant materials for restoration, beautification, reclamation and conservation. Natives are critical in the restoration of North American ecological health, and are the best choice for use in almost every scenario.

Ernst Seeds identifies, collects and propagates new species and ecotypes that meet its clients’ needs, from eastern Canada to the southeastern United States. The company’s native seeds are produced from species considered the most significant foundation of an effective native

restoration or reclamation project. “It is widely known that Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is an international leader in raptor

research, education and conservation. But the Sanctuary’s programming and facilities provide a much more far­reaching and expansive benefit by driving a renewed public interest in conservation and ecological restoration,” said Randy Ferguson, director of marketing and communications for Ernst Seeds.

“Hawk Mountain actively advocates the importance of native plants by continually developing its own native plant garden and associated grasslands, by offering its annual native plant sale and by presenting this high­caliber lecture series for what is now the second year in a row. Ernst Seeds is proud to support these remarkable community outreach efforts.”

All Ernst Conservation Seeds Native Plant Lecture Series sessions are Free to Hawk Mountain Volunteers and Members. Presentations are free for Hawk Mountain members and $5 for non­members and registration is available at 610­756­6961.

For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Ernst Conservation Seeds websites. Click Here for other upcoming Hawk Mountain programs. Wildlife For Everyone: Support Needed For Penn State Research On Mountain Lions A team of researchers from Penn State University is diligently compiling samples and data to trace the disappearance of mountain lions within Pennsylvania. Once common in Pennsylvania, the last documented observation of a mountain lion within the state's borders was in 1874.

The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation proudly supports the study, showcasing in­depth wildlife research and education currently occurring within the Commonwealth's borders.

Congruent with the mission of the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation, the researchers, based in the Departments of Anthropology and Biology, hope to raise awareness about wildlife conservation within the university community and beyond using a natural tie with the school's recognizable Nittany Lion mascot.

With a long, remarkable reputation for ground­breaking research and first­class education, Penn State's University Park campus sits just a few miles from the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation's office.

"Dating back to its beginnings as an agricultural college, Penn State has an outstanding tradition of difference­making research and education involving wildlife and its habitat in Pennsylvania," said Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation Executive Director Vern Ross. "We are thrilled to support such a passionate group of students working to make an impact in their field."

Researchers will first sequence and analyze mitochondrial DNA genomes of the extinct mountain lions from Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States using the Ancient DNA laboratory at Penn State and cutting­edge genome sequencing technology.

The research team is already collecting skin samples from multiple taxidermied mountain lions from Central Pennsylvania, including one on­campus at the Penn State All Sports Museum.

Mitochondrial DNA is only obtained from the mother. Later phases of the project will analyze nuclear DNA that is inherited from both the mother and father.

After sequencing is complete, researchers will compare data with surviving mountain lions in western states and Florida panthers to determine how the populations are related. These

data should provide insight into potential conservation of surviving mountain lion populations. "This is a very special opportunity that combines the passion of our undergraduate

students with the cutting­edge research capabilities in ancient DNA and genomics at Penn State," said George Perry, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Biology and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State. "Through this project we hope to raise awareness among the broader Penn State community, for which the Nittany Lion is our beloved mascot, about wildlife conservation and extinction issues."

Entering into its second decade of existence, the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation continues to provide all wildlife enthusiasts with a way to show their commitment to all species of wildlife in Pennsylvania and their habitat.

The foundation has already raised more than $2 million for projects across the entire Commonwealth. The Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation recognizes the importance of scientific wildlife research and education in maintaining Pennsylvania's rich outdoors heritage.

The Anthropological Genomics Laboratory at Penn State studies evolutionary ecology and conservation biology for many different species. The research team for this project is comprised mainly of students within the Departments of Anthropology and Biology, but also includes students with majors in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Wildlife & Fisheries Science, Ecology, Immunology & Infectious Disease and Statistics.

Click Here to donate or receive additional details on this project. All donations allocated towards this project should be made directly to Penn State.

Opportunity To Bid On 36 Well Plugging Projects In McKean County The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid in the April 18 PA Bulletin on 11 well plugging projects in McKean County, 13 wells plugging projects in another location in McKean County and 12 well plugging projects in a third location in McKean County. For more information, visit DEP’s Abandoned and Orphan Well Plugging Program webpage. Andrew McElwaine Returns To Heinz Endowments, Pennsylvania

In a move designed to deepen its commitment to social and environmental sustainability, The Heinz Endowments Tuesday announced the appointment of an environmental leader and former Endowments’ staff member to the new position of Senior Program Director for Sustainability and the Environment. Andrew McElwaine, who is currently President and CEO of American Farmland Trust – a national farmland conservation organization based in Washington, D.C. – will oversee the Endowments’ environment grantmaking. He will also be directly responsible for building the foundation’s sustainability­related work and will have broad responsibility for infusing the principles of environmental and social sustainability

across the full range of the organization’s grantmaking and other activities.

Mr. McElwaine is returning to the Endowments where he served for six years as the organization’s first Environment Program Director. He left the Endowments in 1999 to take up the position of President and CEO with Pennsylvania Environmental Council and from there he moved to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida as President and CEO before joining the American Farmland Trust in 2013.

As part of the effort to strengthen its work in sustainability, the Endowments also announced the promotion of Phillip Johnson to the role of Program Director for Science and Environment. Mr Johnson joined the Endowments as Environment Program Officer in 2009 and has served as the department’s Interim Program Director for the past year. He will direct the foundation’s environmental stewardship and research work focusing on air and water quality and environmental impacts on human health.

“We believe that in the years ahead environmental issues are going to be at the forefront of how Pittsburgh defines itself and shapes the future of this community,” said Endowments’ President Grant Oliphant. “Our work will focus not only on the critical challenge of protecting the quality of our air and water but also on the opportunity to develop innovative sustainability practices that can make our region a leader in the solution of major social and environmental challenges.”

In welcoming Mr. McElwaine’s return to the Endowments, Mr Oliphant said: “Andrew is a courageous and seasoned environmental strategist who appreciates the Endowments’ guiding values and the role of philanthropy in developing creative solutions to environmental challenges. “He understands the issues confronting the environment on both a global and a local scale and how important it is for communities like Pittsburgh to forge a path to a sustainable future.”

Commending Mr. Johnson for his interim leadership of the foundation’s environment work, Mr. Oliphant said: “Phil has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to environmental health and a rigorous understanding of environmental science. As interim leader of the environment program he proved his ability to lead our focus on air and water quality and the protection of human health from environmental toxins and degradation.”

Mr. McElwaine, who served as an environmental and government affairs aide to the late Senator John Heinz, recently completed a national strategic plan for the American Farmland Trust to implement sustainable agriculture, create local food systems and reduce climate impacts of farming.

Among other past accomplishments, he helped to develop the then Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s climate action plan and regional planning initiatives; he successfully defeated regional development plans for south Florida that would have endangered species habitat and wetlands; and he developed and facilitated the Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan that was adopted by then state Gov. Ed Rendell.

A former staff member of President George H.W. Bush’s Commission on Environmental Quality from 1991 to 1993, Mr. McElwaine has served on the boards of more than a dozen organizations concerned with policy work and issues related to the environment, conservancy, the safeguarding of natural resources and the protection of public health.

In 2014, the Endowments’ environment program distributed grants of over $14.4 million, including funding of more than $4.9 million to support the organization’s Breathe Project. The Endowments’ total grantmaking last year was over $75 million. NewsClips: Heinz Endowments Taps McElwaine To Oversee Environmental Grantmaking

Heinz Endowments Steps Up Focus On Environmental Issues Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.

NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates. April 20­­ CANCELED. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing on Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations. Room 8E­B East Wing. 10:00. April 20­­ NEW. House Commerce Committee meets to consider House Bill 621 (Major­R­Susquehanna) further providing for the recording of oil and gas leases (sponsor summary). Room 205 Ryan Building. 11:00. April 20­­ Environmental Issues Forum. Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring the Chesapeake Bay Foundation talking about the economic benefits of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Room 8E­A East Wing Capitol Building. Noon. April 21­­ Agenda Posted. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. ­­ Proposed Regulation Setting Air Emissions Standards For Vehicle Coating Processes ­­ Final Regulation Setting Land Reclamation Guarantees for Bioenergy Crop Bonding ­­ Proposed Regulation Revising Drinking Water Total Coliform Rule ­­ Rulemaking Petition To Redesignate Browns Creek, Greene County ­­ Rulemaking Petition To Redesignate Hosensack Creek, Lehigh, Montgomery Counties <> Click Here for available handouts. April 21­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. ­­ Presentation On Proposed Final Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations ­­ Presentation On NGA Technical Assistance Program On Section 111(d) Clean Power Rule ­­ Presentation On 2 More Technical Guidance Documents On ACt 162 buffer requirement ­­ Act 54 Longwall Mining Impact Report Review Committee ­­ DEP Monthly Report To Council <> Click Here for available handout. April 21­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. ­­ Discussion of Energy Codes, High Performance Buildings, Urban Forestry, Semi­Truck Freight Transportation, Reducing Methane Leakage From Natural Gas Infrastructure, Coal Mine Methane, Energy Efficiency Financing, Industrial Electric BMPs, Act 129 Energy Efficiency Work Plans

<> Click Here for available handouts. April 21­23: PA Chapter American Water Works Assn. Annual Conference. Hershey. April 22­­ CANCELED. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing on Chapter 78 Drilling Regulations. Room 205 Ryan Building. 9:00. April 22­­ NEW. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 398 (Killion­R­Delaware) to allow for vehicular transportation of landfill leachate (sponsor summary). Room 60 East Wing. 10:30. April 22­­ NEW. House Consumer Affairs Committee information meeting on the status and economic benefits of the Mariner East Pipeline Project. Room B­31 Main Capitol. 9:15. April 22­­ Earth Day 2015. April 22­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. ­­ Land Recycling Program Update ­­ Draft Vapor Intrusion Guidance Discussion ­­ Separate Phase Liquids At Storage Tank Corrective Action Sites ­­ Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials <> Click Here for available handouts. April 22­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. ­­ Reports by Small Business Ombudsman, Environmental Management Assistance Program ­­ Proposed Total Coliform Regulation Change ­­ Overview Of Regulatory Review Process ­­ Air Pollution Basics ­­ PA Industrial Development Authority <> Click Here for available handouts. April 22­­ Paddle Without Pollution REI Earth Day Event. Pittsburgh’s South Side. Visit PWP’s Events webpage for more information. April 23­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00 to Noon. (formal notice) ­­ Board Member discussion on comments on Chapter 78, 78A ­­ Adoption of Bylaws ­­ Click Here for available handouts. April 23­­ Meeting Location Change. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. Delaware Room, 16th Floor Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice)

April 23­­ DEP public hearing on proposed water obstruction and encroachment and NPDES permits for the PPL West Pocono­North Pocono 230kV electric transmission line in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Thornhurst Township Volunteer Fire Company, 125 River Road, Thornhurst, Lackawanna County. 6:00. (PA Bulletin page 1023) (PA Bulletin page 1564) April 27­­ Wildlife For Everyone Students! Explore, Discover Wetlands Thru Your Camera. Gov. Tom Ridge Wetlands, Julian, Centre County. April 27­­ NEW. DEP open house on proposed Keystone Landfill expansion. Throop Community Civic Center, 500 Sanderson Street, Throop. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Click Here for more information. April 28­­ PEC Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards Dinner. Hilton, Harrisburg. 5:00. April 29­­ CANCELED. DEP Mine Families First Response and Communications Advisory Council meeting. DEP Mining Office, 131 Broadview Rd., New Stanton. 10:00. (formal notice) April 29­­ NEW. DEP hearing on proposed final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling performance standard regulations. Washington and Jefferson College, Rossin Campus Center – Allen Ballroom, 60 S. Lincoln St., Washington, Washington County. 6:00 and end at 9:00 p.m. (formal notice) April 30­­ Agenda Posted. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. (formal notice) ­­ Presentation, Discussion Of Revised Total Coliform Rule <> Click Here for available handouts. April 30­­ NEW. DEP hearing on proposed final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling performance standard regulations.Warren County Courthouse, 204 4th Ave., Warren, Warren County. 6:00 and end at 9:00 p.m. (formal notice) April 30­­ Susquehanna River Basin Commission hearing on water withdrawal requests. Holiday Inn Harrisburg­Hershey, Grande 1 Room, 604 Station Road, Grantville. 7:00 p.m. (formal notice) May 4­­ NEW. DEP hearing on proposed final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling performance standard regulations. Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Klump Academic Center, 1 College Ave., Williamsport, Lycoming County. 6:00 and end at 9:00 p.m. (formal notice) May 5­­ DEP public hearing on air quality permits needed for the Shell ethane facility in Beaver County. Central Valley High School, 160 Baker Road Extension, Monaca. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (PA Bulletin page 1518). May 6­­ 2015 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn Conference Center, State

College. May 6­­ DEP Mine Families First Response and Communications Advisory Council meeting. DEP Mining Office, 131 Broadview Rd., New Stanton. 10:00. (formal notice) May 6­­ NEW. Department of Health Statewide Advisory Committee for Preparedness for public health emergencies meeting. Farm Show Complex, Keystone Conference Center. 8:30. (formal notice) May 6­8­­ PA Association of Environmental Professionals Annual Conference. Toftrees Resort, State College. May 7­­ NEW. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on DEP’s handling of the proposed final version of the Chapter 78 (conventional) and 78A (Marcellus Shale) drilling regulations. Room 140 Main Capitol. 9:00. May 7­9­­ PA Land Trust Assn. PA Land & Water Conservation Conference. Wyndham, Gettysburg. May 11­­ Environmental Issues Forum by the Joint Conservation Committee featuring Brian Wagner, PA Council of Trout Unlimited talking about stream restoration, education and other Trout Unlimited projects in PA. Room 8E­A East Wing Capitol Building. Noon. May 13­­ DEP Aggregate Advisory Board initial meeting. 6th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) May 13­15­­ DEP and Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania 2015 Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference. Erie Bayfront Convention Center, Erie. May 14­17­­ PA Outdoor Writers Association Spring Conference. Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Somerset. Click Here for more information. May 17­­ Paddle Without Pollution North Park Lake, Allegheny County Cleanup. Visit PWP’s Events webpage for more information. May 19­­ DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Delaware Room, 16th Floor, Rachel Carson Building. 8:30. May 19­20­­ NEW. Choose Clean Water Coalition 6th Annual Choose Clean Water Conference. Harrisburg Hilton. May 28­­ DEP Certification Program Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. June 2­­ DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room,

Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. June 3­­ DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference, Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. June 4­­ DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. June 5­­ Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet. Allenberry Resort, Boiling Springs. Click Here for banquet information. June 9­­ Rescheduled For June 23. DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park Rd., Ebensburg. 10:00. (formal notice) June 11­12­­ Penn State PA Natural Resources Leadership Institute Workshop. State College. June 23­­ DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park Rd., Ebensburg. 10:00. (formal notice) June 24­­ DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee. Bureau of Laboratories Building, 2575 Interstate Dr., Harrisburg. 9:30. June 24­­ DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Conference Room 11B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. June 30­­ DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. July 22­­ DEP Certification Program Advisory Committee for Water and Wastewater Systems Operators meeting. 14th Floor, Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. (formal notice) August 12­­ DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. August 25­­ DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) September 16­20­­ National Trout Unlimited Meeting. Center City Hilton Hotel and Convention Center, Scranton. Click Here for more information. September 20­22­­ 2015 Greenways and Trails Summit. Holiday Inn and Allegheny Community Center, Warren. September 22­­ DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:30.

September 24­­ DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee & Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. October 2­­ DEP Low­Level Waste Advisory Committee. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. October 27­­ DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) October 28­30­­ 2015 Partnership for Safe Water 2015 Water System Optimization Conference hosted by the PA Section American Water Works Association. Hershey. Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for information on how you can Be Informed! and Get Involved! in DEP regulation and guidance development process. DEP Regulations In Process Proposed Regulations Open For Comment ­ DEP webpage Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods ­ DEP webpage Recently Finalized Regulations ­ DEP webpage DEP Regulatory Update ­ DEP webpage DEP Technical Guidance In Process Draft Technical Guidance Documents ­ DEP webpage Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines ­ DEP webpage Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance ­ DEP webpage Technical Guidance Recently Finalized ­ DEP webpage Copies of Final Technical Guidance ­ DEP webpage Other DEP Proposals For Public Review Other Proposals Open For Public Comment ­ DEP webpage Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals ­ DEP webpage Other Proposals Recently Finalized ­ DEP webpage Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages. DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events Note: The Environmental Education Workshop Calendar is no longer available from the PA Center for Environmental Education because funding for the Center was eliminated in the FY 2011­12 state budget. The PCEE website was also shutdown, but some content was moved to the PA Association of Environmental Educators' website.

Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online. Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle Grants & Awards This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week. May 15­­ Dominion Higher Education Grants May 15— NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program May 21­­ DCNR Volunteer Firefighting Grants June 30­­ CFA Watershed Restoration Protection Grants June 30­­ CFA Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Grants June 30­­ CFA Baseline Water Quality Data Grants June 30­­ CFA Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Grants June 30­­ CFA Sewage Facilities Grants June 30­­ CFA Flood Mitigation Grants June 30­­ CFA Greenways, Trails and Recreation Grants June 30­­ DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (or until rebates run out) July 10­­ PROP Recycling Film Festival July 10­­ ARIPPA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants July 30­­ TreeVitalize Inventory, Planting Grants July 31­­ CFA Business In Our Sites, Brownfields September 12­­ PPFF State Parks and Forests Through The Season Photo Contest September 30­­ DEP Recycling Performance Grants October 31­­ PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Photo Contest ­­ Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance for environmental projects. Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle Environmental NewsClips ­ All Topics Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more­­ Senate Moves Wolf Nominees To Committees For Hearings Big Week Ahead For Wolf Appointees, Cortes Comes Under Fire Air PA Business Groups Take Aim At EPA Power Plant Limits

Allen, Northampton Residents Concerned About Air Emissions Permit Limiting Emissions At Foundry Could Reduce Production Budget Severance Tax Proposal Would Keep Drillers From Passing On Tax Rep. Saccone Says Severance Tax Plan Bad Economic Policy Rep. Hanna: Drillers Should Pay Their Fair Share Wolf, GOP Leaders Have First Budget Talks Corman Previews Meeting With Wolf, GOP Spring Agenda Senate Dems Discuss Budget Strategy, Property Tax Relief With Wolf State Budget Negotiations Heating Up Wolf Not Willing To Compromise On His Principles Fewer Fish & Boat Officers Mean Extra Workload Climate PA Business Groups Take Aim At EPA Power Plant Limits Legal Battle To Begin Over Obama Plan To Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions Compliance Actions Editorial: No Tolerance For Illegal Sewage Dump Dam Safety States With Most Deaths From Submerged Dams Energy Wolf Appoints Political Insider As Energy Advisor Auctions, Voluntary Purchases Of Renewable Energy Grows Fossil Fuels Just Lost The Race Against Renewables Electric Customers Can Rack Up Cancellation Fees TMI To Conduct Emergency Drill Tuesday Bad Pump Shutdown Beaver Valley Nuclear Plant NRC OKs Berwick Nuclear Plant License Transfers Donegal Twp Residents Voice Objections To Mine Flooding Flood Insurance Rates Rising In Wyoming Valley New Flood Maps Bring Uncertainty To Cumberland County Luzerne Flood Authority Reminds ATV Riders To Stay Off Levees Forests Volunteers To Plant 22,000 Trees At Flight 93 Memorial Oil/Gas Hearings Set On New Gas Drilling Regulations DEP To Hold Hearings On New Drilling Regulations Judge Refuses To Dismiss Charges Over Lycoming Gas Well Site Discharge Range Resources Ordered To Disclose Drilling Chemicals Philly Mayoral Candidates Talking Shale Gas Invenergy Uses Balloons To Gauge Proposed Power Plant Jessup Planning Commission Denies Power Plant Zoning Change Marcellus Shale Drilling Plan Advances In Penn Twp Rail Shipments Of Oil Way Up In Philadelphia Transportation Officials Issue Oil Train Safety Measures

Feds Issue Speed Limits For Crude Oil Trains 2nd Major Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast Kinder Morgan Ponders 2nd Pipeline In Ohio Kinder Morgan Moves Forward With Pipeline Plans 2nd Major Gas Pipeline Would Link PA, Northeast West Goshen Vote Put Off On Pipeline Settlement Canada’s Consul Touts Keystone XL Pipeline In PA Visit Crude Oil Price Drop Doesn’t Translate To Consumer Goods Philly Refinery Creates Toxic Air As Well As Jobs Refinery Workers to Vote On Last, Best, Final Offer Gas Industry Urges Speedy Approval Of LNG Export Terminals Opponents Shout Down Speaker At Philly LNG Session Op­Ed: LNG Plant Could Bring Positive Energy To Philly UGI Targets Mains For Replacement McCutcheon Thrives As Oil, Gas Industry Shifts Oversupply Causing Drillers To Scale Back Op­Ed: PA Energy Economy Model For Others In NJ Open Space Sacrificed For Cheaper Natural Gas Recycling/Waste Erie Nonprofits Willing To Take What Some Throw Out Hundreds Of Volunteers TurnOut For Presque Isle Cleanup Fire Strikes Oregon Dairy Composting Operation Health Officials Will Join DEP At Keystone Landfill Open House Editorial: Still Dancing Around Basic Dump Issues DEP To Do On­Site Check Of IESI Landfill Odor Sustainability Heinz Endowments Looks To Smart Planning For Pittsburgh Sustainability Drives P4 Conference Aimed At Transforming Pittsburgh Watershed Protection Dominion, Western PA Conservancy Award Watershed Grants Bill Would Offer New Federal Protection For Delaware River Clarks Summit Receives EPA Notice On Stormwater Issues Bradford Watershed Associations Awarded Grants State Chips Away At Wild Trout Streams Farm Owners Charged With Septic Waste Dumping Editorial: No Tolerance For Illegal Sewage Dump Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal Wildlife Fewer Fish & Boat Officers Mean Extra Workload Birders Watching For Impacts Resulting From FERC Decision 6th Pair Of Bald Eagles Confirmed In Armstrong County A Thousand Fans Flock To York Eaglets In Single Day Bucks County Audubon Hosts Photo Exhibition Other Heinz Endowments Taps McElwaine To Oversee Environmental Grantmaking

Heinz Endowments Steps Up Focus On Environmental Issues Community Assessment To Be New Lens On Meadville Lawmakers Gearing Up Blight Bills DEP’s NewsClips webpage ­ Click Here The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily Blog, Twitter Feed and add us to your Google+ Circle. Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of 3 public hearings on Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78A (unconventional) drilling regulations. Pennsylvania Bulletin ­ April 18, 2015 DEP Regulations In Process Proposed Regulations Open For Comment ­ DEP webpage Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods ­ DEP webpage Recently Finalized Regulations ­ DEP webpage DEP Regulatory Update ­ DEP webpage Technical Guidance & Permits The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of federal consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Program for DCNR to conduct maintenance dredging at Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks in Erie County. DEP also published notice of credits certified under the Nutrient Credit Trading Program. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice of projects approved in January 2015. The Department of Health published notice of a May 6 meeting of the Statewide Advisory Committee for Preparedness for public health emergencies. DEP Technical Guidance In Process Draft Technical Guidance Documents ­ DEP webpage Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines ­ DEP webpage Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance ­ DEP webpage Technical Guidance Recently Finalized ­ DEP webpage Copies of Final Technical Guidance ­ DEP webpage Other DEP Proposals For Public Review Other Proposals Open For Public Comment ­ DEP webpage

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals ­ DEP webpage Other Proposals Recently Finalized ­ DEP webpage Visit DEP’s new Public Participation Center for information on how you can Be Informed! and Get Involved! in DEP regulation and guidance development process. Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages. DEP Calendar of Events Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest. Stories Invited Send your stories, photos and links to 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 of Crisci Associates, a Harrisburg­based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and non­profit organizations. Did you know you can search 10 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of topics, by county and on any keyword you choose? Just click on the search page. PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award. Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.