pa environment digest feb. 17, 2014

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

W inner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award Harrisburg, Pa February 17, 2014

Gov. Corbetts Statement On Greene County Natural Gas Well Explosion

Gov. Corbett received an update Friday from the Department of Environmental Protection on the statusof the gas well fire in Greene County that started on Tuesday and subsequently released the followingstatement:

Our focus right now is making sure workers and first responders are safe, and we areconcerned about the potential loss of life, said Corbett. "Yesterday, I directed Secretary of Department of Environmental Protection Chris Abruzzo and other executive level DEP staff to get to thesite and assist authorities in managing this incident. State authorities have also been in touch with thecompany to work together and resolve immediate needs. I have also directed Secretary Abruzzo towork with the appropriate state, county and local authorities and create a multi-agency investigationafter this incident conclu des. We need to determine exactly what happened and how we can learn fromit.

The governor reiterated his commitment to continuing to work with the General Assembly onenhancing safety standards for both residents and workers. In 2012, Gov. Corbett signed Act 9, theUnconventional Well 911 Emergency Response Act. This Act requires operators to maintain a unique

GPS co ordinate address at each well site, as well as develop an emergency response plan to be kept onfile with DEP, PEMA and the county emergency management agency.

Crude Oil/Propane Train DerailmentOn Thursday 21 Norfolk Southern rail cars hauling propane gas and Canadian crude oil

derailed from at least 100 more tank cars in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County. About 3,500 gallonsof crude oil leaked from damaged cars.

Gas Well Fire Demonstrates Need For School Setback Marcellus Outreach Butler Wednesday called for natural gas drilling and gas related

infrastructure to be kept at least one mile away from schools.The gas well explosion and fire that began February 11 near Dunkard, Greene County, which

injured one worker and left another missing, feared dead, prompted the State Police to set a half-mile perimeter around the burning well.

The fire couldnt be approached closer than 300 yards due to its intensity, yet in Butler Countya well exists approximately 300 yards from Summit Elementary School. A well will be about 1,900 feetfrom Connoquenessing Elementary School and a well is planned close to Moraine Elementary School.

The school districts to which these schools belong themselves have either leased or areconsidering leasing and they are not the only school districts that throw caution away to shore up their

budgets with gas industry money.What are the risks? The Greene County explosion was not the first gas well explosion in
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Pennsylvania.A gas well explosion and fire on February 23, 2010 injured 3 workers in Avella, Washington

County. On June 3, 2010 in Clearfield County a natural gas well blowout allowed natural gas andflowback fluid to spew uncontrollably on the ground and shoot 75 feet into the air, as campers in theMoshannon State Forest were evacuated.

Several well fires have occurred in the Marcellus Shale play over the last few years.A well explosion and fire near New Milton, WV on July 7, 2013 in which 2 of the 8 workers

injured subsequently died. On September 21, 2013, residents of Kent, WV were evacuated when a processing plant exploded.

Blowouts and fires of unconventional wells and infrastructure have occurred in other shale plays beyond the Marcellus Shale area.

Although not frequent occurrences, well fires are a risk that comes with this industrial processinvolving dangerous chemicals and highly volatile methane gas. If an explosion similar to the one inGreene County happened next to a school, the consequences could be devastating.

A report by PennEnvironment found that in a 5-state region, permitted fracking well sites arefound within one mile of 223 schools.

We demand that legislators and regulators do the right thing and take action to protect our children.

For more information, visit the Marcellus Outreach Butler website.NewsClips:2 Chevron Gas Wells Burning In Greene CountyGas Well Fire May Burn Through WeekendChevron Takes Over Polish Club To Handle Gas Well FireDEP Secretary On Scene Of Greene County Gas Well FireCrews Remove Charred Equipment, Vehicles From Well FireOne Of Two Greene Well Fires Still Burning, Worker MissingOne Missing, One Hurt In Greene County Gas Well ExplosionGas Wells Explodes In Southwest PAGas Well Fire Sparked By Crew Connecting Well To PipelineVandergrift Derailment Fans Fears Over Oil ShipmentsRailroad Ups Estimate Of Oil Spilled In Vandergrift DerailmentFederal Agency To Probe Freight Train Derailment In VandergriftOp-Ed: Danger On The Rails Running Thru Pittsburgh

Sen. Yaw, Corbett Ask AG To Investigate Chesapeake Energy Royalty Practices

The Rocket-Courier in Wyalusing reported Thursday Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of

the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, has sent a formal request to AttorneyGeneral Kathleen Kane asking for an official inquiry into post-production cost deductions by natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy.

On Friday, Gov. Corbett sent a letter to Attorney General Kane making a similar request.Over the past several months, my office has received numerous complaints from landowners

frustrated over the business practices of Chesapeake Energy, Sen. Yaw said. Their primarycomplaint involves the deduction of what are believed to be excessive post-production costs. I feel thatthe Attorney General is the appropriate third party entity to officially review these claims from a
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consumer protection aspect.On June 27, 2013, Sen. Yaw convened a public hearing of the Senate Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee on royalty issues.During our hearing, the Committee heard testimony that deductions by Chesapeake were as

high as 100 percent of some royalty checks. This raises a significant consumer protection issue for

hundreds of constituents in my Senate district, said Sen. Yaw.In light of the ongoing issues between Chesapeake Energy and Bradford County leaseholders,

Sen. Yaw has also introduced a package of legislation, known as the Oil and Gas Lease ProtectionPackage to safeguard leaseholder rights.

The bills include: Senate Bill 1236 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amends the Oil and Gas Lease Actfurther providing for payment of royalties, Senate Bill 1237 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing the NaturalGas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act to protect royalty interest owners and Senate Bill 1238(Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing the Oil and Gas Lease Satisfaction Act providing for certain forms anddamages. Sponsor summary of all three bills.

I believe my legislation will dovetail nicely with the legislation-- House Bill 1684(Everett-R-Lycoming)-- already introduced in the House of Representatives, Sen. Yaw said. Over these past several months, I have said consistently that I would support the House legislation when it

passes that Chamber and moves to the Senate. I am not only reiterating my support for House Bill1684, but I am also putting forward my own legislation that would support the interests of landownersalready leased with natural gas companies.NewsClips:Sen. Yaw Wants AG To Investigate Chesapeake Energy Royalty PracticesCorbett Asks AG For Investigation Into Chesapeake Energy Royalties

Auditor General: Marcellus Audit Not Yet Done At DEP

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said during his Senate Appropriations budget hearing Tuesday hewas still several weeks away from completing the fieldwork on his audit of the drilling-related water quality programs at DEP.

Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) noted Pennsylvania has no construction standards on privatewater wells and almost half of all Pennsylvanians use well water.

"There have been a lot of water problems in Pennsylvania for decades," General DePasqualesaid. "I don't know if people understood that. In recent years because of the additional drilling, I think there's been much more awareness by the public about the importance of water safety. The drillers havegotten blamed for some stuff that they had nothing to do with. I will tell you that we are seeing someevidence of that and I just will leave it at that right now."

DEP, DCNR Budget Hearings Coming Up Next Week

The Senate Appropriations Committee will have a hearing on the proposed FY 2014-15 budgetrequest for the Department of Environmental Protection February 18 at 3:00 and for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on February 19 at 9:00.

The House Appropriations Committee will have a hearing on the proposed budget for DEP onFebruary 19 at 1:00 and on DCNRs budget on February 25 at 11:30.
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On February 19, 34 environmental groups and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of theEnvironmental Resources and Energy Committee, will hold a press conference outlining their oppositionto further natural gas leasing on DCNR lands. The press conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. in theCapitol Media Center, Harrisburg.

NewsClips:Lawmakers Pepper Budget Secretary On Corbett Spending PlanEditorial: Be Wary Of Forest DrillingEditorial: Why Expand Gas Drilling?

Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA. Just go to your Google+ page and search for [email protected] , the email for the Digest Editor DavidHess, and 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.

Youll receive as-it-happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily NewsClipsand links to the weekly Digest and videos.

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

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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 postedupdates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you tonew items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed : Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest Twitter feedto get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as alist of new environmental bills introduced--

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

HouseFebruary - Budget HearingsMarch 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 31

April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30May 5, 6, 7June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

SenateFebruary - Budget HearingsMarch 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 31April 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 28, 29, 30May 5, 6, 7June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Bill Calendars

House (March 10): House Resolution 583 (Molchany-D-Allegheny) designating January 13-19 Mt.Washington Emerald View Park Trail Week-- sponsor summary . Click Here for full House BillCalendar.

Senate (March 10): Senate Bill 411 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) encouraging the reuse of mine drainageand mine pool water for drilling operations; Senate Bill 771 (Gordner-R-Columbia) establishing theState Geospatial Coordinating Board. Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: the Appropriations Committee holds budget hearings on: Public Utility Commission, PUCOffice of Consumer Affairs/Small Business Advocate, Dept. of Environmental Protection; the Gameand Fisheries Committee holds a meeting to receive the Game Commission annual report and aninformational meeting on House Resolution 129 (Causer-R-Cameron) directing the Legislative Budgetand Finance Committee to study the merger of Game and Fish and Boat Commission-- sponsor summary . Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: the Appropriations Committee holds budget hearings on: Dept. of Revenue, Dept. of Environmental Protection, Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, PA Emergency Management

Agency. Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in each--

HouseAppropriations
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D4%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMLwVjcUxZLx4Cw4D2aell4MHkRAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FSM%2FCOSM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGm2MqrSWvfq9tan4rDgY7fJhcc2Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FHM%2FCOHM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHN4VHsg-7-WbaLdRZFal9NTpr5vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D11778&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNELvY8dvhhIf1STp0P3pUEKSvPqwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D11778&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNELvY8dvhhIf1STp0P3pUEKSvPqwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26bn%3D0129&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHbeSiz2w9cRR5FQSg0tELrQNZvQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0771&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHbQEx0_Ylle-24yd0kjgghSJ-fwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D411&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGJ_Ezd-jsznxl4gVNvQRCbuQOpLwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2F%2Fcfdocs%2FLegis%2FCSM%2FshowMemoPublic.cfm%3Fchamber%3DH%26SPick%3D20130%26cosponId%3D13776&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGm3olfXqFTB6Cv5m8PaEhYTtnHCAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26bn%3D0583&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHzl8z1YSGztFnK25h4_VrUN_NfaQ


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EducationEnvironmental Resources and EnergyConsumer AffairsGaming OversightHuman Services

JudiciaryLiquor ControlTransportationLinks for all other Standing House Committees

SenateAppropriationsEnvironmental Resources and EnergyConsumer Protection and Professional LicensureCommunity, Economic and Recreational DevelopmentEducationJudiciaryLaw and JusticePublic Health and WelfareTransportationLinks for all other Standing Senate Committees

News From The Capitol

Sen. Schwank Introduces Bill Allowing Cities To Charge Recycling Fees

Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said Tuesday she will introduce legislation to preserve the authority of communities to use local fees to support their recycling programs.For over two decades nobody questioned whether municipalities have that ability, said Sen.

Schwank. My bill would make very clear that is in fact the case.In October, Commonwealth Court ruled that the states Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling

Waste Reduction law, Act 101 of 1988, required Reading to discontinue its monthly recycling fee,raising concerns statewide that such fees are illegal.

The decision later became moot when it was learned it had been entered after the man whochallenged the Reading ordinance had filed for bankruptcy protection, stripping the court of authority inthe case. It has nonetheless stirred concerns that a similar suit against Reading or another municipalitycould lead to a similar ruling.

Until the courts decision, Reading had been assessing the fee for two decades, and it coveredabout 90 percent of the citys annual $2.7 million recycling budget.

Recycling has proved its value to the community, Sen. Schwank said. The courts decisionwas a shock, since places like Reading have depended on the fees for years. The court said they haveto rely on state grants and proceeds from marketing the recycled materials, and that just is not realisticto cover the costs of recycling programs.

While the court noted municipalities are excused from the states requirements to recyclewhere funding is insufficient, officials across Pennsylvania believe the loss of fee authority likely would
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end or severely cripple municipal recycling, Sen. Schwank said. My bill would make clear that the lawdoes permit local fees for recycling.

Act 101 requires municipalities of at least 10,000 to operate curbside recycling programs.Grants are available to help offset costs, but they are typically insufficient to cover all of a communitysexpenses as they relate to waste reduction efforts.

Berks County recycled a total of 228,000 tons of material in 2009, the most recent statisticsavailable from the Department of Environmental Protections Act 101 website .

Berks Countys total was the sixth largest amount of recycled material in the state (behindPhiladelphia County, 1.2 million tons; Allegheny County, 470,000 tons; Lehigh County, 262,000 tons;Montgomery County, 252,000 tons; and Beaver County, 250,000 tons).

State grants are available to help municipalities prepare recycling and waste management plans,start recycling programs, pay for recycling program coordinators and inspectors, and to collecthousehold hazardous waste.

Rep. Sankey Introduces Bill Repealing Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards

Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield) is sponsoring House Bill 1912 which would repeal PennsylvaniasAlternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act-- sponsor summary .

Shortly after its introduction, the PA Environmental Council issued a statement opposing therollback of the AEPS standards .

I support the exploration of alternative sources of energy, said Rep. Sankey. My overlyingconcern is for the Pennsylvania consumer whose wallet is taking a double hit first when your electric

bill goes up an anticipated 12 percent to 15 percent, and second through the grants that are offered asincentives to promote use of alternative energy. Wind and solar power are honorable endeavors that areunfortunately too cost prohibitive to be relied upon heavily. Until we can substantially increase theamount of energy they generate, we cannot rely heavily on them for a significant amount of our electricityneeds.

Pennsylvanias Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which was implemented in 2004,requires an annually increasing percentage of electricity sold to retail customers in Pennsylvania tooriginate from alternative energy sources. Both electric generation and distribution companies are part of the law and must demonstrate their compliance on an annual basis.

There are times when paying a bit more is justified when a higher quality product is involved,Rep. Sankey added. In this case, Pennsylvania consumers are being forced to pay for the same

product, obtained through significantly more expensive means. The price tag associated with generatingelectric power using non-traditional sources will really hurt household budgets not only inPennsylvania, but in surrounding states that depend on us as the largest net exporter of electric power inthe country.

Pennsylvanias Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act requires utilities to obtain 18 percentof their power generation from non-traditional resources by the year 2021. This legislation, coupled withthe federal governments opposition to the coal industry, is a multi-faceted threat to our citizens.

The federal government is winning the public relations war it is waging against coal, Rep.Sankey admits. They have managed to convince a significant number of people that it is dirt, not water vapor, coming out of those smoke stacks, and cleaner ways of keeping yours lights turned on are theway to go.

What they overlook is the technological advances the coal industry has put to use, Rep.
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Sankey said. They dont explain the resurging demand for anthracite (produced only in Pennsylvania)resulting in the re-mining of old abandoned sites and subsequent reduction in acid mine drainage through

backfilling that keeps water on the surface.They ignore the more than 41,000 people employed in mining, the more than $700 million in

combined local, state and federal level generated by the industry, and the $7 billion economic benefit we

enjoy thanks to coal, he concluded.The bill is currently in the House Consumer Affairs Committee.

News From Around The State

CBF: Tell Other States Not To Dictate Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Strategies To Us

The American Farm Bureau Federation and Fertilizer Institute have recruited 21 states from across thecountry to support their efforts to derail Chesapeake Bay restoration. Together, they're seeking tooverturn the recent ruling which declared the science-based pollution limits and the cleanup plan legal.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation says to these special interests and to Texas, Indiana, Kansas,Alaska, and the other 17 states, don't tell us how to restore clean water in our backyard!

Each of the six Bay states and the District of Columbiaincluding hard-working farmers, businesses, and individualsare working together. We are well on our way to making our rivers andstreams safer, improving our habitat, protecting human health, and strengthening local economies.

Click Here to sign a petition to tell the 21 other states: Dont tell us how to restore clean water in our own backyard! So far, over 13,400 of your friends and neighbors have.

Clean Water, Healthy Lands Workshop Draws Large Crowd In Bradford County

Despite frigid temperatures and a looming snowstorm, 85 farmers, state and federal conservation

professionals, and others converged in Wysox, Bradford County to attend Clean Water, HealthyLands, a workshop and awards ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Foundationrestoration staff.

While the presentations and programs provided technical information about on-farm techniquesto improve water quality, the Golden Tree and Golden Cow awards ceremony was an opportunityto celebrate and recognize the tremendous clean water achievements of local partners.

The on-farm conservation improvements happening in this region have benefits to localwaterways and to the Chesapeake Bay, while also helping our farming community remain viable, saidStephanie Eisenbise, CBFs Pennsylvania Watershed Restoration Manager. We wanted to pay tributeto those efforts and to the staff who make it happen.

Golden Tree awards were given to U.S. Department of Agricultures Farms Service Agency

and Natural Resource Conservation Service county offices in recognition of the thousands of acres of streamside forested buffers that they have helped to establish. Golden Cow awards were given to

partners in the Buffer Bonus Program for establishing nearly 40 miles of new forested buffers and vastimprovements in farm management.

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) provides funding for many of theon-farm improvements like streamside forested buffers. Through CREP Pennsylvania farmers andlandowners have successfully reforested thousands of miles of Pennsylvania streams, which improveslocal and downstream water quality.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.creppa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEDwvqKsp7V52Lp4MCo53Nuiza3OAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftakeaction.cbf.org%2Fp%2Fdia%2Faction3%2Fcommon%2Fpublic%2F%3Faction_KEY%3D12993&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGF0y80ga48km4IjcjDj1chnNdE5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHC8d8SKHyFjg-lGjegPfOpD-Cx_Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnational%2Fhealth-science%2Ffrom-alaska-to-florida-attorneys-general-join-fight-to-end-chesapeake-bay-cleanup%2F2014%2F02%2F05%2Fd88a426c-8e7f-11e3-b46a-5a3d0d2130da_story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFwYKBv9yo3Wb1FG3NR1H-1j1IFbQ


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Jennifer Johns, one of two CBF Stream Buffer Specialists working in northern Pennsylvania,works one-on-one with farmers and FSA and NRCS staff to install conservation practices like forestedstreamside buffers, streamside fencings, and cattle crossings.

I grew up on a beef and veal farm here in Bradford County, and have been working withfarmers on conservation efforts for nearly 15 years, said Johns. My work focuses mainly on forested

riparian buffers, and I have the privilege of working with exceptional partners in this region. Thisworkshop was a great opportunity to not only honor those partnerships, but to also provide all 85attendees with educational tools that validate how critical this work is.

In 2009, CBF received grant funding for our Buffer Bonus Program for Bradford and 4 other northern counties. Farmers benefited from this program by installing CREP forested buffers, which thenearned them vouchers to be used towards paying for additional on-farm improvements that benefitwater quality. In total the grant served over 40 farms, established 430 acres or 36 miles of forestedriparian buffers, and helped with 219 on farm water quality improvement projects.Steve Smith rounds out CBFs northern Pennsylvania Buffer Specialist team and along with Jennifer Johns works one-on-one with farmers and FSA and NRCS staff. Together, they are instrumental in thesuccess of CBFs restoration program.

Steve grew up on a dairy farm in Tioga County, and has been working in the farmingconservation field for 26 years.

It was a privilege to honor our partners for their dedication and hard work, Smith said. Ithink the Clean Water, Healthy Lands workshop was a great way to spread the word about whyCBF and our partners are doing this very important work throughout the watershed.

The Golden Tree Award was presented to the following partners:-- Bradford & Sullivan County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners, and farmers,they have established 3,652 acres of streamside forested buffers in Bradford & Sullivan Counties.-- Lycoming County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners and farmers, they haveestablished 903 acres of streamside forested buffers.-- Susquehanna County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, with partners, and farmers, they haveestablished 1,609 acres of streamside forested buffers.-- Tioga County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners, and farmers they haveestablished 1,850 acres of streamside forested buffers in Tioga County.-- Wyoming County NRCS and FSA offices. Together, along with partners and farmers, they haveestablished 292 acres of streamside forested buffers.

The Golden Cow Award was presented to the following partners in the Buffer Bonus Program:-- Bradford & Sullivan County NRCS office-- The Bradford County Conservation District-- Lycoming County NRCS office-- PheasantsForever

-- Susquehanna County NRCS office-- Wyoming County NRCS office-- Ed Zygmunt, retired Conservation Consultant

Workshop PresentationsPresentations at Clean Water, Healthy Lands focused on forested streamside buffers, soil

health, manure management, and invasive plant control.The keynote speaker, Dr. Bernard W. Sweeney, Director, President, and Senior Research

Scientist at the Stroud Water Research Center, leads the Center in the study of bringing polluted,


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degraded streams back to life.Dr. Sweeney and the other speakers presented their messages in a practical, "can't argue with

that" approach and that goes a long way toward bridging gaps, Smith continued. Their research iscritical to our work here in restoring NE Pennsylvania streams.

Workshop presenters included: Dr. Bernard W. Sweeney, President, and Senior Research

Scientist at the Stroud Water Research Center, Art Gover, Research Support Associate with theWildland Weed Management program in the Department of Plant Science at the Penn State University,Mike Hanawalt, Supervisory District Conservationist in Wyoming County for the USDA NaturalResources Conservation Service (NRCS), Kevin Brown, Agricultural Resource Specialist with theConservation District and works with nutrient management, no-till, and other farm related topics, andMiranda Neville, Chesapeake Bay Technician/Ag Resource Specialist at the Bradford CountyConservation District.

CBF would like to thank the following partners: the Bradford County Conservation District,Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Endless Mountains Resource Conservation &Development Council, Bradford Sullivan Forest Landowners Association, USDA Farm ServiceAgency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever, the Sullivan CountyConservation District, and Tiadaghton Trout Unlimited.

For more information, visit the CBF-PA webpage.

SRBC Releases Report On Water Quality Conditions 2010-2012

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday released its second data report on water qualityconditions in small watersheds in the Marcellus Shale region of the Susquehanna River Basin.

Prior to 2010 when SRBC began collecting the data through its state-of-the-art Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network , little to no water quality data existed for many smaller streams in northernPennsylvania and southern tier New York.

SRBCs first data report in 2012 established preliminary baseline, or existing, conditions withinthe first 37 of 58 watersheds that SRBC is monitoring through the RWQMN. This second data report

provides a more comprehensive report of conditions across the full monitoring network.The Commission takes very seriously one of its core functions of monitoring water quality

conditions in the streams and rivers of the Susquehanna Basin, said SRBC Executive Director AndrewDehoff. This second report provides more information on the data collected as part of theCommissions effort to evaluate whether or not water quality conditions are reflecting impactsassociated with natural gas drilling.

Each RWQMN station is equipped with sensors that can continuously detect subtle changes inwater temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductance (ability to conduct electricity, which typicallyincreases as levels of dissolved solids increase) and turbidity (water clarity).

The water quality parameters are measured at 5-minute intervals and transmitted to SRBCheadquarters in Harrisburg every 2 to 4 hours. The raw, unadjusted data are then made available to the public online . A user-friendly map, graphs and charts are key features for viewing and understanding thedata.

The data report outlines the process SRBC is using to characterize conditions for the monitoredwatersheds, including analyses based on ecoregion group, water chemistry, and trend analyses for threestations with sufficient data records of three full years.

The parameters of primary interest in areas of natural gas drilling are conductance and turbidity
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since those are the most likely to rise if local streams are being impacted by drilling activities. SRBC alsocollects quarterly samples for more than 20 other parameters for lab analysis, some of which serve asmore specific indicators of natural gas drilling activities.

Of the 50 watersheds covered in this data report, SRBC has not observed any unusual resultsoutside of some existing pollution issues such as those associated with mine drainage, road salting, and

agricultural/urban runoff, as well as some isolated incidents associated with brief turbidity spikes as aresult of pipeline construction activity.

As more stations accumulate three years of continuous data, SRBC staff will be able to detectany longer-term water quality trends in addition to immediate impacts. The first three stations undergoingthese statistical analyses showed no definitive trends, with no obvious correlation to drilling activity.

Upcoming assessments include performing trend analyses on a larger set of data from 37stations that reached the 3-year data record mark at the end of 2013. In addition, the Commissioncontinues to collect more refined data at select stations to better understand fluctuations in water chemistry.

Lastly, future reports will also start to look more closely at results from aquatic biologicalcommunity data collected at all stations.

SRBCs overarching objective of the RWQMN is to apply good science to track changes inwater quality conditions over time and to allow for timely responses in the case of pollution events.

Other objectives are to reduce the cost of data collection by using advanced technologies, toenhance water supply protection through source water monitoring, and to be responsive to publicconcerns.

For more information, visit SRBCs Remote Water Quality Monitoring Network webpage.

PA American Water Opens Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water Monday announced entries are now being accepted for its 12th Annual"Protect Our Watersheds " Art Contest. The deadline for entries is March 28.

All fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water are eligible, as well as individual students who live in the company's service area. The contestencourages students to draw on their artistic talents to convey the importance of protectingPennsylvania's watersheds and water resources.

This month, Pennsylvania American Water is mailing contest applications to teachers in nearly500 schools in its service territory. Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent,understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding. As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on the personal impact of watershed protection.

"Each year, an overwhelming number of students use their creativity to express their ideas for protecting our environment," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape.

"Pennsylvania American Water's vision is to be the trusted steward of our most precious resource --water, and this contest is a fun and creative way for students to learn how precious it truly is and theimportance of protecting it."

In 2013, the company received more than 500 entries from students across the state. The grand prize winner was Shannon Baransky of Abington Heights Middle School in Clarks Summit,Lackawanna County.

In total, six students will be recognized, with a first-, second- and third-place winner selectedfrom eastern and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will be rewarded with a $100 gift card to
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Barnes & Noble. Two second- and third-place winners will be awarded a $50 and $25 gift card,respectively.

In addition, the overall grand prize winner will have her/his artwork featured on "Bloomer" cardsdistributed by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomer cards are seed-filled packets that, when plantedand tended, produce a variety of wildflowers. All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion

certificate. Awards will be presented in May as part of National Drinking Water Week activities.Contest guidelines and entry forms are available on PA American Waters Community

Involvement webpage.NewsClip: PA American Water Taps Kids Creativity With Art Contest

Artists To Showcase Use Of Material Recovered From Abandoned Mine Drainage Feb. 20

Ten ceramic artists from five states have generously donatedtheir talents and time to create beautiful pieces that utilizemetal oxides recovered from environmentally-friendly systemsthat treat drainage from abandoned Pennsylvania coal mines.

This collaborative effort was spearheaded by JameyBiggs, a professor of ceramics at Concord University, whodevelops and generously shares his glaze recipes utilizingthe iron oxide that forms under acidic conditions. There areeven pieces that sparkle in the sunlight!

The reception for the exhibit, entitled, Clean Creek:Iron and Manganese, is being held in the art gallery at Concord University, Athens, WV on February20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

As part of the event, non-profit Stream Restoration Inc. has been invited to provide a presentation describing passive mine drainage treatment and the value to stream improvement, as well ashow the use of the recovered metal oxides can help volunteers sustain the long-term performance of thesystems.

The artwork on display and the opportunity to talk to the artists are the highlight of the event.To see photos of their work and to learn more about the artists, a catalog that includes glaze

recipes can be found online .Special thanks to the following ceramic artists that have provided further meaning and

encouragement to abandoned mine restoration efforts: Jamey Biggs (WV), Pam Esch (OH), BobIsenberg (PA), Linda Arbuckle (FL), William Brouillard (OH), Susan Filley (NC), Matt Long (MS),

Norma Acord (WV), Shelly Cubarny (PA), Amanda Wolf (PA).For more information, contact Jamey Biggs by sending email to: [email protected] or call

304-384-5351. To see more products made from recovered materials and to support local mine

reclamation efforts, visit the Clean Creek Products website.

Senior Environment Corps Seeks Volunteers In Adams, Lancaster, York Counties

Are you 55 years or older, live in York, Adams, or Lancaster Counties and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world? If so, the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps wants you.

Senior Environment Corps members can participate in a variety of tasks from monitoring
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natureabounds.org%2FSEC.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHfcneH7u7JGiZPvLoOeRZ_N_vWwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natureabounds.org%2FSEC.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHfcneH7u7JGiZPvLoOeRZ_N_vWwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cleancreek.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFaFGYy5Y-zv-7EI724bCCT6JF2RAmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.concord.edu%2Facademics%2Ffine-arts%2Fclean-creek&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF0r3gHaXnIVRWiDeI90pwtaEkQUwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.streamrestorationinc.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGA2NcfsrWmoyExu37iVHqm5l5dsQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesleader.com%2Fnews%2Farts%2F1187044%2FPennslyvania-American-Water-taps-kids-creativity-with-art-contest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEc3WfIZsGvObLV9lGHELTnLVavZAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amwater.com%2Fpaaw%2Fabout-us%2Fcommunity-involvement%2Fprograms.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFiLqVr5qgiVnpTH814rpE9uGbT-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amwater.com%2Fpaaw%2Fabout-us%2Fcommunity-involvement%2Fprograms.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFiLqVr5qgiVnpTH814rpE9uGbT-g


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water-quality, observing and reporting on wildlife, reaching out to others about how they can help theenvironment, and even aiding with office tasks. The possibilities are endless.

The Pennsylvania SEC program has chapters in all three counties Adams, Lancaster, andYork. This spring, were hoping to see more folks across take an interest in clean water and a healthyenvironment, said Melinda Hughes-Wert, President of Nature Abounds, the organization that manages

the Senior Environment Corps program,Senior Environment Corps members have monitored water quality, helped to inventory wildlife,

marked abandoned oil wells and educated the next generation of environmental stewards. Seniors inPennsylvania really can make a difference. In fact, the value of the SEC program across Pennsylvania isestimated at over $3,000,000 a year, added Hughes-Wert.

Training WorkshopOne of the projects that the SEC members are engaged in is baseline water quality monitoring.

A workshop sponsored by York Audubon Society, is set for March 12 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at thePenn State Extension office in York, PA. The event is free and lunch will be provided.

Feel free to come if youre ready to be involved in the Senior Environment Corps program or if you just want to find out what being involved in the Senior Environment Corps program is all about.Pre-registration is required for the event.

Local hosts of the South Central Pennsylvania SEC groups are York Audubon, Lancaster Conservation District, and Adams County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

For questions about the March 12th training, please contact Tom Smith at 717-840-2375.For more information about the Senior Environment Corps or Nature Abounds , please contact

Melinda Hughes-Wert of Nature Abounds at either 814-765-1453 or send email to:[email protected] .

Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team 2013 Annual Report Now Available

The 49-page 2013 annual report from the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team is now available online .The Stream Team was formed in 1998 to address concerns brought to light in the Department

of Conservation and Natural Resources Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin Conservation Plan.This Plan identified the needs for more environmental education and citizen engagement in

monitoring the hundreds of Abandoned Mine Discharges within the 1,887 square-mileKiski-Conemaugh River Basin, which encompasses portions of Armstrong, Cambria, Indiana, Somersetand Westmoreland Counties.

Winter Issue Of Partnership For Delaware Estuary Newsletter Now Available

The Winter issue of Estuary News from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is now available.

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meets March 6 On Migratory Fish Passage

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is scheduled to meet on March 6 to hear a presentation onefforts to restore migratory fish passage on the lower Susquehanna River and other agenda items.( formal notice )

Other items on the agenda include: final rulemaking on revised emergency water use provisions;memorandum of understanding with New York State facilitating coordinated regulatory activities;
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revision of Fiscal Year 2015 budget; ratification/approval of contracts/grants; ratification of settlementagreement pertaining to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing of York Haven Hydroelectric

project and authorization to execute on behalf of the Commission additional contemplated settlementagreements under FERC licensing procedures; Inflection Energy, LLC and Talisman Energy USAregulatory compliance matters; and Regulatory Program projects.

The meeting will be held in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building in Harrisburg starting at 8:30a.m.

For more information, visit the SRBCs Public Participation Center webpage.

Penn State Extension: Sidewalk Salt And Stormwater

We all know that it is very important to remove ice and snow from walkways to prevent injury.However, we often forget the damage that some of the materials we use to melt ice can do to plants andthe environment.

For many years, we used rock salt to melt ice on roadways and sidewalks. Rock salt is themost common deicer available for those slippery sidewalks, driveways and steps. However, rock salt isvery corrosive and is not good for the environment. It can weaken concrete and pollute our streamswhen it is carried into stormwater.

Encourage anyone using a deicer at your house to use as little as possible or purchase analternative that does not harm the environment.

We have all seen the rusty bridges, guardrails and brown evergreen trees from using salt. Rock salt is sodium chloride. It is low cost and abundant. It will damage plants and can leach into the soil andaffect the plant roots.

Also, as salt melts the ice, the water solution runs into nearby storm drains or ditches. Fromthere, salt can seep into groundwater or enter local lakes and streams. This excess salt poses a threat tofreshwater ecosystems and fish.

According to the Maryland Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet 707, Melting Ice Safely, a better alternative to use is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). It is a different from salt. As it comes incontact with snow and ice, it will give off heat so it is more effective than salt at low temperatures. Thefact sheet, Melting Ice Safely is available online.

There are other materials that can be used to reduce the problem of slippery sidewalks. Some people will use sand, grit, sawdust, bird seed or cat litter to prevent slipping. While these may not be the best products, in some situations they are easier on the environment than other materials you can selectfrom.

One material I would encourage you not to use is fertilizer and especially urea fertilizer. It willmelt snow and ice, but the nitrogen gets carried off by the melting ice and snow and the nitrogen can endup in our waterways and eventually in the Chesapeake Bay. So do not use urea or other fertilizers, but

purchase one of the other products that have been mentioned.Whichever material you choose to help you get rid of ice, remember that the purpose of adeicing material is to start the melting process so the ice will break up and can be shoveled off thesidewalk. Do not use the chemical deicer as your only way to get rid of the ice. You need to shovel too,once the deicer has done its job.

(Written By: George Hurd, Environmental/Resource Development Educator, Renewable Natural Resources Team, Penn State Extension, Franklin County, reprinted from Penn State Extension
https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fextension.umd.edu%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F_docs%2Fprograms%2Fbay-wise%2FFS707-MeltingIceSafely.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFb_qxN6wFUf5V9RD8md3aWPKoteQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.srbc.net%2Fpubinfo%2Fpublicparticipation.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGgbz-Vb-mjGUz_Wa9xPyamkrapqA


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Watershed Winds newsletter.)

PUC Urges 13,928 Customers Without Heat To Act Now

With the end of winter nowhere in sight, the Public Utility Commission reminds the 13,298 consumers

without use of a central heating system or using a potentially unsafe heating source in their homes to callabout programs to help restore natural gas or electric service.

Resources are available to help consumers restore and maintain service, said PUC ChairmanRobert F. Powelson. A colder winter and increased use of heating systems also means many peoplewho have never struggled to pay their bills are struggling now. While utilities are not permitted toterminate service for utility customers with household incomes at or below 250 percent of the Federal

poverty level during a period of time through March 31, as of April 1 forward, utilities can terminatecustomers for past due balances regardless of income, so we encourage customers having troublemaking payments to contact their utility to set up a payment arrangement.

The PUC encourages consumers without utility service to know their rights and responsibilities .Consumers should obtain information about programs available to help them restore and maintain utilityservice. Consumers with a seriously ill resident in the household or a protection from abuse order mayhave additional options for service restoration.

As of Feb. 3, 2014, the total number of homes not using a central heating system was 13,298, a38 percent reduction from the Dec. 16, 2013, total of 21,281. The information is a follow up to theannual Cold Weather Survey results. Some households may be without both electric and natural gasservice, resulting in a double counting of some households.

Consumers should call their utility first to make arrangements to pay their bill. If they are unableto reach an agreement with the utility, the PUC may be able to provide assistance. The PUC can bereached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

This winter marks the PUCs eleventh Prepare Now campaign where the message is simple:Prepare Now for higher energy costs this winter. Learn about changes in the law related to utilityterminations and reconnections and know your rights. Save money by learning how to conserve energy.Heat your home safely. Explore budget billing options.

Look into programs that help low-income customers restore and maintain service. Call the PUCat 1-800-692-7380 for more information.

DEP Awards Small Business Energy Efficiency, Pollution Prevention Grants

Gov. Corbett Monday announced the Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $996,713in grants to help 134 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or

pollution-prevention projects.

These grants are yet another example of my administrations commitment to supporting small business owners in Pennsylvania. Corbett said. I am pleased to bolster businesses, like these, that areworking hard to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Pennsylvanias Small Business Advantage Grant Program , funded through the Hazardous SitesCleanup Act, helps businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It provides 50-percent matchingreimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25 percent annually in

pollution-prevention or energy-related costs.The grants will create more than $3.7 million in private-sector investment in small businesses.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdep%2FDEPUTATE%2Fairwaste%2Faq%2FSmall_Business%2Fsmall_business.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFX6y5cQi2GmKNnR8sttJ2GIt0ffghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.state.pa.us%2Fconsumer_info%2Fnatural_gas%2Fprepare_now.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEb4bp_7XP-uM61mqXE3NeOnMcHZghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puc.pa.gov%2FGeneral%2Fconsumer_ed%2Fpdf%2FConsumer_Rights_Responsibilities.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHJw0kWgz8WVOp4D9jNjkxe6Ga9-Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fnatural-resources%2Fwater%2Fdiscovery-watersheds%2Fnews%2F2014%2Fsidewalk-salt-and-stormwater%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bagsci-water-watershedwinds%2B%2528Penn%2BState%2BWatershed%2BWinds%2BNewsletter%2529&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFLera1mc0aAhSRn1wruRjNSSEYHQ


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Examples of eligible projects include high-efficiency HVAC and insulation upgrades,high-efficiency lighting to save energy, installation of energy-efficient heat pumps and new auxiliary

power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines.Since 2004, the program has awarded in excess of $8.5 million in more than 1776 small

businesses statewide.

A list of grants awarded is available online .For more information about how the DEP can help support small businesses or about future

Small Business Advantage Grant Programs , contact DEPs Office of the Small Business Ombudsman at717-772-8909 or send email to: [email protected] .NewsClip: Businesses Receive State Energy Efficiency Grants

International Energy Conservation Code Workshop March 6 In Bucks County

The Department of Environmental Protection invites code enforcement officials, builders, contractorsand designers to a March 6 training workshop in Feasterville-Trevose, Bucks County on the 2009International Energy Conservation Code.

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4700 E. StreetRoad.

The one-day program will focus on energy code compliance for residential buildings.Participants will learn about performing a thorough plan review, proper air sealing and insulationinspection items, the process for completing a thorough energy inspection and accurately assessingevery item in a provided plan review and insulation checklist.

The IECC is updated every three years by the International Code Council. In Pennsylvania, it isconsidered part of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), according to Act 49.

The cost to register is $40 and includes a training manual, breakfast and lunch. Six UCCcontinuing education hours will be awarded to attendees.

Registration is available online and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-insmay be accepted if space and materials are available.

Funding for the workshop is provided by the department through a U.S. Department of EnergyState Energy Program grant.

For more information, visit the PA Construction Codes Academy website, or call717-763-0930.

Keystone Energy Education Program Workshop In Wilkes-Barre March 6

The Department of Environmental Protection invites middle school teachers, administrators and buildingmanagers to a March 6 training workshop in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County on the Keystone Energy

Education Program (KEEP) 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 4:00 p.m. at the Lawrenceand Sally Cohen Science Centers GIS Lab on the 4th floor at Wilkes University, 84 West South St.

KEEP is geared to teachers of grades 4 through 8, administrators and building maintenancemanagers. Workshop participants will learn about and explore energy issues, including fundamentals andimpacts, electricity generation, transportation fuels, careers, energy conservation, student teams andschool building energy benchmarking through presentations, tours and hands-on activities.

Participants will have the opportunity to integrate high level, standards-based energy education
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paconstructioncodesacademy.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHmkyN-mraNkqRWBbRBsJyJCSvaughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paconstructioncodesacademy.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHmkyN-mraNkqRWBbRBsJyJCSvaughttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fthetimes-tribune.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Fbusinesses-receive-state-grants-1.1631979&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHbkntBEULfn_DT19UHyNTeK-ctFwmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdep%2FDEPUTATE%2Fairwaste%2Faq%2FSmall_Business%2Fsmall_business.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFX6y5cQi2GmKNnR8sttJ2GIt0ffghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fnewsroom%2F14287%3Fid%3D20368%26typeid%3D1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE-XOKzsyzQ-tilrscrX1cDMkOznA


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into their formal curriculum. This could include lesson plans, curricular modules and ongoing benchmarking through EPAs Energy Star Portfolio Manager, resulting in energy efficiency assessmentsleading to improvements that reduce energy consumption.

The workshops are based on Pennsylvanias Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology, Science and Technology and Engineering Education. Participating teachers

will receive background information, standards-based curricular materials and energy conservationmaterial kits.

Participating teachers will be eligible for seven Act 48 credit hours.Space is limited, so registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register by

contacting the KEEP Coordinator Susan Gove at 412-431-1010 or send email to: [email protected] .

Larry Schweiger Keynotes May PA Environmental Professionals Conference

Larry Schweiger, outgoing CEO of the National Wildlife Federation and an environmental leader inPennsylvania will be the keynote speaker at the May 7-9 PA Environmental Professionals Associationannual conference in Seven Springs, Somerset County. Click Here for all the details.

Keep PA Beautiful Receives Top Honors At National KAB Conference

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful received top honors at Keep America Beautifulsrecent 61st National Conference in Charlotte, NC, where they were once againrecognized for innovative programming and partnerships, excellence inmanagement and administration, and volunteer contributions.

(Photo: Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful,(left) accepts the 2013 Keep America Beautiful Innovation Award from

Jennifer Jehn, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful.)Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful received first place for The Cigarette Litter

Prevention Program - First Time Implementation.Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful conducted the 2013 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program , at

twenty-five locations in downtown Erie, five locations at Erie State Parks, and twenty locations coveringthe entire coastal zone from the New York border to the Ohio border with a 57 percent overallreduction in cigarette butts.

Also targeted were the City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Brookline, Oakland/ForbesAvenue, Squirrel Hill/Forbes Avenue, and South Side/East Carson Street with a 49% overall reductionof cigarette butts.

The 2013 Keep America Beautiful State Affiliate Innovation Award for Partnerships was presented to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for their work at two local veterans hospitals.

In partnership with Keep Ohio Beautiful and The Home Depot, Keep Pennsylvania Beautifultransformed courtyards and cement patios into beautiful outdoor spaces for our veterans at theColumbus VA Medical Center and VA Butler Healthcare.

These projects provide veterans with increased access to new and improved gardens and theopportunity to be actively engaged in horticultural activities with the introduction of raised beds and

planters.Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was recognized with the State Affiliate Gold Level Award for

carrying out programs such as the Great American Cleanup , International Coastal Cleanup , and Fresh
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2FGrantsAwards%2FFreshPaintDays.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMbfR9WeaceCG6TlP7mjbp38gqoAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2FCleanIt%2FIntlCoastalCleanup.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGFs5SNtPrwEPlJ-tBuDNN4uLxM5Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgacofpa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHA16IIvuJPVpQyhPcTc6z12NtXSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2FPreventIt%2FCigaretteLitterPrevention.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFfoI0VfGND-N7MN2OdaSrkij_RQghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keeppabeautiful.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEnAJ8HoIN9W5G3EykJCU7tXW5k8Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paep.org%2F2014Conference_CFP.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHb1RzBLf_4LjMmbl9deiKL00kU7ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paep.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGW0lVKlVZju2p1KLkYa6nQ8KtwPQmailto:[email protected]


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Paint Days , among others.In addition, the 2013 Keep America Beautiful Presidents Gold Circle Award was presented to

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its affiliates, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful and WestmorelandCleanways, for their management and program excellence.

Also recognized from Pennsylvania was the Department of Transportation for their generous

support for the Great American Cleanup of PA, Recreation Equipment, Inc., for their partnership withKeep Bedford County Beautiful in community events and the initiation of a local tree bank, BorisWeinstein from Pittsburgh, for the Iron Eyes Cody Award, and Nicole Chandler from Philadelphia, for the Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award.

Keep America Beautifuls annual National Conference brought together KAB affiliate leadersfrom across the country to share best practices and celebrate the successes of the past year.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is honored and grateful to be a part of the Keep AmericaBeautiful National Conference where resources and ideas can be shared with a broad network of

partners, explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, We are honored to berecognized by this national organization.

For more information, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.

Natural Lands Trust, Partners Receive More Than $8 Million In State Grants

Natural Lands Trust Wednesday announced it has been awarded $5.7 million in grants from theDepartment of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Marcellus Legacy Fund administered bythe Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Additionally, Natural Lands Trust helped area communities raise $2.7 million for their ownconservation efforts.

The grant monies will help to fund a dozen conservation projects, including preservation of openspace, development of hiking trails, and restoration of wildlife habitat.

Were thrilled to be working on so many exciting conservation projects; we simply could notdo our work without the funding support we receive from DCNR and others, said Molly Morrison,

president of Natural Lands Trust. And its a great honor to be able to help so many partneringorganizations and municipalities find the finds they need to save land and improve their communities.

Pennsylvanias parks and trails, natural areas, and many opportunities to be active outdoorsdefine our communities and make them places where people want to live, work, and play, said DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti. We are proud to work with Natural Land Trust and local partners to helpthem meet the vision for conservation and recreation that they have for their communities and regions.

Land PreservationThe recent grants will help to preserving critical open space in the region, including projects in

Philadelphia and Delaware and Berks Counties.

In Philadelphia , Natural Lands Trust secured more than $1 million to protect permanently 38 acresof Awbury Arboretum in Germantown. The Arboretums 55-acre property contains more than 200species of trees as well as meadows, ponds, and woodlands. Awbury Arboretum is also the site of thehistoric Francis Cope House. A conservation easementa legally-binding agreementwill ensure thatthe Arboretum, which is open daily to the public, will remain an oasis for people and wildlife forever.

"We are very excited to guarantee the permanent preservation of Awbury with this conservationeasement, said Chris van de Velde, general manager of Awbury Arboretum. We are also extremely

pleased that Natural Lands Trust will be our partner in the preservation of the arboretum, as their
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reputation ensures us of the high quality of the oversight they are providing."When the easement on Awbury Arboretum is complete, Natural Lands Trust will have

preserved land in Philadelphia equivalent to both the campuses of St. Josephs University and theUniversity of Pennsylvania combinedincluding 325 acres of the Schuylkill Center for EnvironmentalEducation in Roxborough, the largest privately-owned property in the city. The organization has also

helped to acquire 15 acres of land along the Delaware River for development of a waterfront trail and park. In Delaware County , working in partnership with Rep. Nicholas Micozzie (R-Delaware), NaturalLands Trust received nearly $1.2 million for the purchase of a much-sought-after property alongSpringfield Road in Darby Township.

The 35-acre parcel, locally known as Darby Heights, is the site of Woodburne, a neoclassicalmansion designed in 1906 by the architecture firm of Horace Trumbauer for the son of Col. ThomasScott, a former assistant secretary of war under Abraham Lincoln and president of the PennsylvaniaRailroad. The mansion was last used by the current owners, the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer, as anursing facility from 1958 to 2005.

The property has been on the market since that time and was slated for commercialdevelopment after its re-zoning in 2010. Local opposition to commercial development was strong andofficials have been exploring conservation options.

This gem of a property, which Natural Lands Trust will turn over to Delaware County after purchase, will serve as the southern trailhead of the planned Darby Creek Greenway, a series of contiguous parcels that span three miles of Darby Creek. In the future, the parkland may also include a

playfield and picnic facilities, and will provide better access to the west side of the adjacent BartramPark.

In Berks County , Natural Lands Trust obtained a $834,500 grant to purchase 234 acres alongRidgeway Road in Cumru and Robeson Townships to preserve forestland, protect wildlife habitat, andcreate opportunities for public recreation.

Once Natural Lands Trust purchases the land, it will be transferred to the CommonwealthsBureau of Forestry as an addition to the William Penn State Forest . The property includes densewoodlands that help protect the water quality of Allegheny Creek, which flows through the property.Once at risk for residential development, the property will now be made accessible to the public for hiking, fishing, and nature study.

Trail And PlanningIn addition to preserving critical open space in the region, the recent grants will help Natural

Lands Trust improve two of the organizations 42 nature preserves and to begin construction of a newtrail in one of the regions most important natural landscapes.

DCNR awarded a $20,000 grant through its Community Conservation PartnershipsProgram towards the development of a plan for both habitat restoration and public amenities at Natural

Lands Trusts Green Hills Preserve , located in Berks County. Natural Lands Trust purchased the propertywhich had been slated for developmentin 2012, establishing the regional groups first preserve in the county. The plan will guide management and restoration of wildlife habitat at the preserveand the installation of amenities such as parking and trails so that it can be more easily accessed byvisitors.

Natural Lands Trust received a Marcellus Legacy Fund grant of approximately $50,000 for improvements to the organizations Sadsbury Woods Preserve , located in Sadsbury and West CalnTownships, Chester County.
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The 508 acres that make up Sadsbury Woods include one of the largest remaining,unfragmented woodlands in the county. The preserve is an important habitat for birds that rely on densewoodlands for nesting. Natural Lands Trust will use the fundsand a matching grant from the Chester County Preservation Partnership Programto construct a new 10-car parking area off Old WilmingtonPike, a handicap-accessible trail, and a stream crossing to enhance and extend the current trails at the

preserve. When completed, the improvements will make the preserve more visible and accessible toresidents and nature enthusiasts from around the region.

As the coordinator of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape , Natural Lands Trustreceived a grant of $213,000 from DCNR to administer and fund a small grant program, advanceregional and municipal greenway and trail initiatives, and coordinate outreach activities in the landscape.

The Schuylkill Highlands encompasses most of the Schuylkill River Watershed and thesoutheastern-most section of the Pennsylvania Highlands. This diverse landscape contains splendidvistas, quiet woodlands, pristine headwaters, rolling farmlands, and a deep cultural history. TheSchuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program is open to municipalities, non-profits, watershed associations,and friends groups with a tax exempt 501(c)(3) status.

Awardees receive reimbursement for work within the defined Schuylkill Highlands region thatsupports the goals and vision of the Schuylkill Highlands, and in particular the priorities of naturalresource-based conservation and nature-based tourism.

Natural Lands Trust also received a $193,700 grant for the planning and construction of a portion of a hiking and biking trail that will eventually connect the Schuylkill River Trail with the BoarsBack Trail through French Creek State Park . The grant supports work on a two-mile segment from theSchuylkill River Trail to Crusher Road in Union Township, Berks County.Grants obtained for municipal partners:

In addition to raising funds for its own projects, Natural Lands Trust helped six municipalities inthree counties to secure grants totaling $2,701,600. The grants will fund open space land preservation in

North Coventry and West Pikeland Townships in Chester County, Radnor Township in DelawareCounty, and Upper Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County.

Additionally, grant monies awarded will make possible a stewardship plan for the 75-acreRogers Conservation Preserve in Upper Salford and Marlborough Townships, Montgomery County.

For more information, visit the Natural Lands Trust website.NewsClip: Natural Lands Trust Preserves Land In Delco

Delaware Highlands: Nature Needs The Room, Land Conserved In Pike County

It was love for the land that led Michael and Carol Schneider to protect their seventeen acres onHornbecks Creek in Pike Countya direct tributary of the Delaware River, the source of cleandrinking water for millions.

This special property features a beautiful waterfall, a historic stone mill, and exceptionalconservation value.But it was just a matter of chance that Mike and Carol discovered their landit wasnt even for

sale yet when they were introduced to it in 1995.The property is just up the road from Childs Park and near Fernwood Resort where they took

their children on vacation for more than twenty years w

pa environment digest feb. 17, 2014

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