pa environment digest sept. 19, 2011

8/4/2019 Pa Environment Digest Sept. 19, 2011

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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In

PA

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

(Times-Tribune Newspaper) Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa September 19, 2011

Harrisburg: What They Didn't Do On Their Summer Vacation

With the Senate returning to voting session September 19 and the House September 26, it will be

back to business on a whole range of issues that didn't get done before the summer break. Here's

a sampling of what's in store for the Fall--

-- Marcellus Shale: With the July 22 report of the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory

Commission now on the books, complete with recommendations for 30 or more changes in state

law and at least a dozen impact fee or severance tax proposals from both Republicans and

Democrats still waiting, the General Assembly will have its work cut out for it.

Gov. Corbett has not yet said which recommendations he agrees with from the report, but

has said that forced pooling to require landowners without natural gas leases to allow their

resources to be taken with compensation but without a lease is a non-starter.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Corbett said he would have his own version of a

drilling impact fee ready in a week or two, but the focus of the fee would be to compensate

communities for damage to roads, bridges and other negative impacts from drilling. The fundsmay also be used by the PA Emergency Management Agency for environmental cleanup from

drilling.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader

Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) have both said regulatory changes will be a priority in the Fall.

They also said they hope to work with the Governor to pass a version of an impact fee proposal

he will sign into law.

After drilling for Marcellus Shale natural gas for eight years, will the General Assembly

now decide to update the 1984 Oil and Gas Act? Stay tuned.

-- Transportation Funding: The Governor's Transportation Funding Advisory

Commission issued its report in August outlining options for providing $2 to $2.5 billion worthof funding sources for the state's transportation infrastructure.

Among the proposals is eliminating the current cap on the Oil Franchise Tax that imposes

a per gallon tax on vehicle fuels which may or may not violate Gov. Corbett's no tax increase

pledge. Other recommendations would increase vehicle and driver license fees and increase the

number of toll roads.
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/bird-s-eye-view-puts-devastation-in-perspective-1.1201021#axzz1XGA9FQB6http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19729http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19729http://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=20041http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19861http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19861http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19861http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19861http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=20041http://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19729http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=19729http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/bird-s-eye-view-puts-devastation-in-perspective-1.1201021#axzz1XGA9FQB6


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Reacting to the report, Gov. Corbett said he is still reviewing the options and may

consider others which do not raise taxes to meet his pledge.

-- Paying For Flood Damages: Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee roared through

Pennsylvania causing hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage and at least seven

deaths. It will also cause yet another budget problem for the Commonwealth because the state isresponsible for paying 25 percent of at least the public infrastructure costs ofFederal Disaster

Assistance in the 27 counties declared a disaster area.

Look for more budget cuts in an already thin budget. And look for a flurry of spending

bills to improve flood protection.

In fact, Senators John Gordner (R-Columbia), Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), Lisa Baker (R-

Luzerne), John Blake (D-Lackawanna) and John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) are holding a press

conference on Monday to announce a flood relief package based on the 1996 flood package that

included a large bond issue to pay for road and bridge repairs.

NewsClips: Corbett Outlines Possible Drilling Impact Fee

Corbett: Drilling Fee Should Aid Locals, Cleanups

Column: Rendell Angers Drillers At Marcellus ConferenceLocal Governments Look For Help Paying For Flood Repairs

More Budget Cuts As State Pays 25% Share Of Federal Disaster Aid

NE PA Senators To Address Disaster Issues

Senators Will Announce Flood Aid Package

Editorial: Transportation Fix, Corbett Needs To Take A Stand

Federal Disaster Declared: How To Obtain Flood Damage Assistance, Centers Open

Residents and business owners in the 27 counties designated as a Federal Disaster Area can

apply for federal assistance to recover from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee.The counties include: Adams, Bradford, Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Cumberland,

Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Monroe,

Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan,

Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming and York counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to

cover uninsured or underinsured property losses, and other programs to help people recover from

the flooding.

To qualify for aid you MUST FIRST REGISTER WITH FEMA.

You can register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or online at

the FEMA Disaster Assistance website, or by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. People

who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly;for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service call 1-800-621-3362.

The following information will be required to register: Social Security Number; Address

of damaged property; Description of damage; Insurance information; Contact information;

Mailing address; Bank account and routing numbers (if you want direct deposit); and Household

income information.
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Corbett-Drilling-fee-should-aid-locals-cleanups-.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/insights/129928138.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/regional-state-news/local-governments-look-for-help-paying-for-flood-repairshttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-senators-address-disaster-issues-1.1204225http://www.timesleader.com/news/Senators_will_announce_flood_aid_package_09-15-2011.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/09/transportation_fix_gov_corbett.htmlhttp://www.disasterassistance.gov/http://www.disasterassistance.gov/http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/09/transportation_fix_gov_corbett.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Senators_will_announce_flood_aid_package_09-15-2011.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-senators-address-disaster-issues-1.1204225http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://www.witf.org/regional-state-news/local-governments-look-for-help-paying-for-flood-repairshttp://www.philly.com/philly/insights/129928138.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Corbett-Drilling-fee-should-aid-locals-cleanups-.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdf


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After you complete the application for assistance, you will receive a FEMA application

number. Keep your FEMA number for future reference and for checking the status of you

application.

Flood Recovery Centers

FEMA also plans to set up disaster recovery centers in the affected counties where people

can go to apply in person. Stay tuned to local media for location announcements.So far, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency

Management Agency have opened centers at the following locations:

-- Tunkannock Area Administration, 41 Philadelphia Ave., Tunkhannock;

-- Towanda Fire Department, 101 Elm St., Towanda;

-- Luzerne County Community College, 1334 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke;

-- Harrisburg East Mall, 3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg;

-- Lycoming County, 740 Fairfield Road, Montoursville;

-- Columbia County Agricultural Center, 702 Sawmill Road, Bloomsburg; and

-- Loyalsock State Forest District Office, 6735 Route 220, Laporte.

Visit the DEP Flood Related Information webpage for recovery information.

NewsClips

27 PA Counties Cleared For U.S. Disaster Aid

Here's How To Ask FEMA For Flood Help

Agencies Start Compiling List Of Flood Damage

Flood Damage For Dauphin County Nears $150 Million

Local Governments Look For Help Paying For Flood Repairs

More Budget Cuts As State Pays 25% Share Of Federal Disaster Aid

Seven Flood Disaster Recovery Centers Open Wednesday

Editorial: FEMA Is Flooded With Disaster Relief Requests

Storm Damage To Delaware Canal To Cost $1 Million+

Corbett Appoints Central PA Flood Cleanup Task ForceChesapeake Energy Pitches In With Flood Cleanup

Floods Didn't Affect Marcellus Shale Drilling DEP Says

Drillers Weren't Required To Tell DEP They Shut Down During Flooding

5,400 Homes, Businesses Damaged In Flood In NE PA

PA Reports Thousands Of Flood-Damaged Buildings

Years Of Development Contributed To Record Swatara Creek Flooding

Penn State Extension Resources On Flooding

Recovery: Loans Available To Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Landfill Rules Relaxed To Speed Flood Cleanup

State Waiving Some Garbage Rules To Deal With Flood Debris

Flood Waste Lands In Landfills, Salvage YardsTrash Piles Up In Flooded Towns

Waterways Polluted With Debris, Raw Sewage

Op-Ed: The Unpredictable Flood Of 2011

Feds, State Tackling Flooding Woes

Marino Wants A Federal Hearing On Flood

Receding Water Leaves Mosquitoes, Waste, No Marcellus Problems

DEP Announces Emergency Mosquito Control In Flood Counties
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/about_dep/13464/flood_related_information/1007041http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110914_27_Pennsylvania_counties_cleared_for_U_S__disaster_aid.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/heres_how_to_ask_fema_for_floo.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/agencies_starting_to_compile_l.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/flood_damage_tally_for_dauphin.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/regional-state-news/local-governments-look-for-help-paying-for-flood-repairshttp://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdfhttp://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pennsylvania-flood-disaster-recovery-centers-20110914,0,7998630.storyhttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/09/fema_is_flooded_disaster-relie.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110914_Storm_damage_to_Delaware_Canal_to_cost_more_than__1million.htmlhttp://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2011/09/corbett-admin-appoints-cenpaflooding-clean-up-task-force-runs-down-the-damage.htmlhttp://www.stargazette.com/article/20110915/LIFE12/109150361/Chesapeake-Energy-pitches-help-Valley-flood-reliefhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/floods_didnt_affect_marcellus.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2011/09/15/natural-gas-drillers-werent-required-to-tell-dep-whether-they-shut-down-during-flooding/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/officials-say-5-400-homes-businesses-damaged-in-flood-1.1202312#axzz1XGA9FQB6http://www.timesleader.com/news/Pa-reports-thousands-of-flood-damaged-buildings-.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/years_of_development_contribut.htmlhttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/newsletter/news/2011/penn-state-extension-resources-for-fooding?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/pa_state_low-interest_loan_pro.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/landfill-rules-relaxed-to-speed-flood-cleanup/4ef71bdad5a4453e9d9da4c6e8e71bffhttp://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pennsylvania-flood-garbage-removal-20110914,0,871529.storyhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/flood-waste-lands-in-landfills-salvage-yards-1.1203021?cache=03D163D03D163Dp%25253A%25252Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%25252F%25253FparentPage%25253D2.1188%25253Fcache%25253D03D163D03D163Dp%25253A%25252Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%252F%253FparentPage%253D2.1188%253Fcache%253D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%252F%253FparentPage%253D2.1188%253Fcache%253D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%2F%3FparentPage%3D2.1188%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%252F%253FparentPage%253D2.1188%253Fcache%253D03D163D03D163Dp%253A%252Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%2F%3FparentPage%3D2.1188%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%2F%3FparentPage%3D2.1188%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freporti3D19.11145issed-1.1176%2F%3FparentPage%3D2.1188%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Freport%3FparentPage%3D2.644http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/trash-piles-up-in-flooded-towns-1.1201733http://www.abc27.com/story/15474239/waterways-polluted-with-debris-raw-sewagehttp://lancasteronline.com/article/local/457817_The-unpredictable-flood-of-2011.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-state-flood-clean-up-20110912,0,3503106.storyhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Marino-wants-a-federal-hearing-on-flood.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/receding_water_leaves_behind_m.htmlhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=18722&typeid=1http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=18722&typeid=1http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/receding_water_leaves_behind_m.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Marino-wants-a-federal-hearing-on-flood.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-state-flood-clean-up-20110912,0,3503106.storyhttp://lancasteronline.com/article/local/457817_The-unpredictable-flood-of-2011.htmlhttp://www.abc27.com/story/15474239/waterways-polluted-with-debris-raw-sewagehttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/trash-piles-up-in-flooded-towns-1.1201733http://thetimes-tribune.com/flood-waste-lands-in-landfills-salvage-yards-1.1203021?cache=03D163D03D163Dp%2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Warning: Test Well Water Before Drinking

Flood's Toxic Threat Looms

Flooding Puts Hurt On Midstate Farmers' Crops

Susquehanna Levees Do Their Job, But With Side Effects

Flood Revives Levee Debate

Levees' Effect Up, Down River AssessedLevees Help One City, But Hurt Nearby Communities

Flooded Towns Say Levees Made Matters Worse Elsewhere

Officials Want Answers On River Gauge

USGS: New River Gauge Says River Up To 48.6 Feet

Things Were Not Adding Up With River Readings

Forecasting Failure Angers Victims

USGS: Flood Gauge Functioned Properly

Editorial: Fix System For River Crest Projections

Official: River Gauge Hit Its Limit

Op-Ed: Harrisburg's Early Flood-Damage Estimates Sobering

Flood Gates Open At PA Hydroelectric Dams

PEMA Urges Residents, Businesses, Local Governments To Document Flood Damage

Pennsylvania residents who sustained damages to their homes or businesses as a result of

flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee should report those damages to local

municipal officials as soon as possible.

Its very important for residents to file preliminary damage reports as soon as possible

with their local governments, said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director

Glenn Cannon. Teams of local, county, state and federal staffers will conduct preliminary

damage assessments as soon as its safe to do so, but its not possible for them to inspect everydamaged property so we need the publics help.

County conservation districts and watershed groups should be aware that stream

restoration structures, passive and active mine drainage treatment systems, natural stream

restoration structures, farm conservation structures and other stream improvement projects

funded by Growing Greener, Section 319 and other sources should be included in any flood

damage assessment submitted by counties to the Federal Emergency Management Agency if

they were damaged by floodwaters.

The cost of repairing damage to these structures and projects has been reimbursed in the

past by FEMA as part of the flood recovery projects, but they have been is often overlooked

when flood damage occurs.

Cannon said there are three basic steps citizens should take. Affected people should:- photograph and document losses;

- report damages to the municipal emergency management office; and

- save receipts from cleanup and repairs on their property.

Homeowners, renters, and business owners should document damage with photographs

and detailed information on the losses they have sustained, Cannon said. Even if you have

insurance and dont anticipate asking for federal assistance, this information will show the
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overall impact of this storm, and could help local communities get money to rebuild roads,

bridges, and other public infrastructure.

Cannon said this information will also be crucial if Pennsylvania later gets a disaster

declaration, making financial aid available to individuals and businesses. He said at that time,

state and federal officials will issue instructions on how people can sign up for assistance.

If a disaster declaration that includes Individual Assistance is issued, the FederalEmergency Management Agency will staff disaster recovery centers in the counties included in

the IA declaration. DRCs are one-stop shopping for citizens, where they can get information on

every available federal resource in order to recover from the flooding.

Each municipality is responsible for collecting damage reports from residents and

reporting them to counties for submission to PEMA. PEMA compiles the totals and sends them

to federal officials to be considered as part of the states request for a federal disaster declaration.

To find contact information for your township, borough or city, look in the government

section (Blue Pages) of your local telephone directory or search online.

Cannon said that at this point, there is no federal Individual Assistance available for

citizens to repair and rebuild their homes. Its important to note that at this point in the recovery

process, reporting damages to local officials is only for recording and filing purposes. It is not ameans of registering for services or funding. Cannon said the preliminary damage reports being

conducted will provide a clear picture of whether or not the Commonwealth could qualify for IA

funding.

Cannon also noted that Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare has a mental health

crisis counseling hotline open to those who need help coping with mental health issues related to

the flooding. The number is 1-866-803-6382. The hotline is staffed by trained crisis workers

24-hours a day during the immediate crisis period.

For more information, visit PEMA's Flood Damage Assistance Information webpage.


Look For More State Budget Cuts To Pay For State's Share Of Federal Disaster Help

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee roared through Pennsylvania causing millions of dollars

in property damage and a dozen deaths. It will also cause yet another budget problem for the

Commonwealth because the state is responsible for paying 25 percent of the public infrastructure

Federal Disaster Assistance in the 27 counties declared a disaster area.

Look for more budget cuts in an already thin budget. And look for a flurry of spending

bills to improve flood protection.

In fact, Senators John Gordner (R-Columbia), Gene Yaw (R-Bradford), Lisa Baker (R-

Luzerne), John Blake (D-Lackawanna) and John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) are holding a press

conference on Monday to announce a flood relief package based on the 1996 flood package thatincluded a large bond issue to pay for road and bridge repairs.


DEP Acts To Expedite Processing, Disposal Of Flood, Storm Debris

Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it has taken multiple steps to

expedite the cleanup of flood- and storm-related debris.
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The requirement for a waste hauler to display an authorized Act 90 sticker on the hauling

vehicle has been temporarily waived statewide to allow facility operators to accept flood and

storm debris waste from vehicles without Act 90 authorizations. Act 90 requirements are still in

effect for vehicles hauling other municipal or residual waste.

One of our top priorities is to properly remove and dispose of the debris left behind in

our communities by the recent flooding and storms, DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. Ourstaff is working to ensure that this can happen as swiftly and efficiently as possible through

waiving Act 90 requirements, waiving state tipping fees, extending operational hours at waste

management facilities, authorizing waste staging areas and increasing the daily volume of waste

that these facilities can receive.

The waivers will be effective for the 90-day duration of the Proclamation of Emergency

Gov. Corbett declared August 26.

At the request of a municipal waste processing or disposal facility, including landfills,

resource recovery facilities and transfer facilities, DEP may temporarily authorize the extension

of operating hours and increases to daily volume of waste that may be received, processed or

disposed of at the facility to expedite the disposal of flood- and storm-related debris.

To reduce the financial burden on home owners and municipalities during this disasterrecovery period, DEP has waived the Commonwealth tipping fees associated with the processing

or disposal of flood- and storm-related debris.

For all other municipal or residual waste that is received, processed or disposed of at the

facility, these fees continue to apply, as do the facilitys and host municipalitys fees.

DEP suggests that items such as propane tanks, refrigerators, heating oil tanks, electronic

equipment, tires, gasoline or paints be separated and stored in a safe, dry location where practical

for separate collection in the future. This will allow haulers to remove the most problematic

flood-soaked debris and waste.

At the request of a municipality or a waste facility operator, DEP may also approve

temporary waste aggregation and staging areas to allow waste to be accumulated andconsolidated for transportation to waste transfer and disposal facilities. This will allow

municipalities and haulers to concentrate efforts toward the removal of the most problematic

flood-soaked debris and waste.

Facility operators may accept flood- and storm-related debris from counties that have not

designated that processing or disposal facility in their County Plan. Facility owners and operators

are encouraged to coordinate their proposed emergency response action with their host

municipality and county.

Records must be maintained by the facility operator, including the amount of flood- and

storm-related debris accepted and the difference between the flood and storm debris compared

with other wastes that the facility accepts. Operators should continue to report wastes other than

flood and storm debris in the usual manner.Visit the DEP Flood Related Information webpage for recovery information.

NewsClips: Landfill Rules Relaxed To Speed Flood Cleanup

State Waiving Some Garbage Rules To Deal With Flood Debris

Flood Waste Lands In Landfills, Salvage Yards

Trash Piles Up In Flooded Towns

DEP Announces Weekend Hours For Offices In Flooded Regions
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The Department of Environmental Protection announced Thursday that beginning Saturday,

September 17, its regional offices in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County; Williamsport, Lycoming

County; Harrisburg, Dauphin County; and Norristown, Montgomery County, will open for

weekend shifts.

The offices will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. until demand forservices has ceased. As of now, they are slated to be open through Sunday, October 9.

During the weekend hours, residents who need water test kits to ensure the safety of their

private water supplies will be able to pick up the kits and drop off the samples for testing.

Additionally, samples can be dropped off each Friday until 4 p.m.

In Williamsport, staff will also be on-hand to issue emergency permits for work in stream

channels, such as debris removal.

The offices are located at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre; 208 W. 3rd St., Suite 101,

Williamsport; 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg; and 2 E. Main St., Norristown.

For directions, visit the DEP Regional Resources webpage. Visit the DEP Flood Related

Information webpage for recovery information.

Health Department Warns Of Potential For Mold Growing In Flooded Buildings

As floodwaters from Tropical Storm Lee recede, the Department of Health is warning residents

of the potential for mold growth in homes and businesses.

Damp conditions from flooding create the perfect breeding grounds for mold to grow,

which can happen as soon as two days after flooding occurs, Secretary of Health Dr. Eli Avila

said. "Its important that you dry out your home or business as quickly as possible to avoid costly

repairs and health issues in the future.

Molds are simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and

outdoors. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers they can cause allergicreactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems.

People who are at higher risk from the effects of mold include infants and children; older

Pennsylvanians; people with compromised immune systems because of HIV infection, liver

disease, or chemotherapy; pregnant women; and people with existing respiratory conditions such

as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity and asthma. People with these conditions should

consult a physician if they are experiencing health problems.

Be aware that exposure to mold can occur during floodwater cleanup. To minimize

exposure, use a mask or respirator, wear rubber gloves and take breaks in a well-ventilated area.

Here are some tips for cleaning mold:

-- Identify and correct the moisture source. Then clean, disinfect and dry the moldy area. Keep

the area well-ventilated and dispose of anything that has moldy residue, such as rags, paper,leaves or debris.

-- Porous materials can trap molds. Items such as paper, rags, wallboard, ceiling tiles, sheetrock,

carpeting and rotten wood should be thrown out.

-- Wear protective gloves, such as rubber dishwashing gloves, when working with moldy

materials.

-- Carpeting can be a difficult problem. Drying does not remove the dead mold spores. If there is

heavy mold on the carpet, the best course of action may be to throw it away. If the area was
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flooded, remove sheetrock to at least 12 inches above the high water mark. Allow the area to dry

for two or three days before replacing damaged materials.

Use non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner in hot water. Scrub the

entire affected area thoroughly using a stiff brush or cleaning pad, then rinse with clean water.

After thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a solution of no more than

one cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia; the fumes are toxic.Allow areas you are disinfecting to dry naturally overnight to kill all molds.

For more information, resources and tips for cleaning up and protecting your health after

flooding, visit the Department of Health's Flooding Information webpage.

State Treasurer, DEP Lower Loan Rates On Energy Efficient Replacement Equipment

Homeowners in eastern and central Pennsylvania who experienced flood damage may be able to

replace certain household appliances with more energy efficient models with the help of special

low-interest rate loans through the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program.

Pennsylvanias departments of Treasury and Environmental Protection worked together

to lower interest rates on the popular program for homeowners in 19 counties where the federalgovernment has issued a disaster declaration. The reduced interest rates are available for 90 days

for those who are eligible for Keystone HELP loans.

While many homeowners will take advantage of assistance through their insurance

policies or receive aid from state and federal agencies, State Treasurer Rob McCord said the

special Keystone HELP loans may be of help to Pennsylvanians who do not qualify for

government programs or who do not have other options.

Treasurer McCord encouraged those residents who must replace their water heaters,

windows, doors, insulation, or heating and cooling systems to consider newer, energy efficient

models that can reduce home utility bills for years to come.

The presidents disaster declaration will make a great deal of federal aid available tofamilies that must rebuild their homes and their lives in the wake of last weeks devastating

floods, said Treasurer McCord. Pennsylvanians affected by those floods should try to take

advantage of that assistance as well as other resources available through the state but we

want to do whatever we can to provide other forms of help. These lower-interest rates through

the Keystone HELP program are another option for people to consider and can specifically help

to replace damaged equipment with money-saving, energy-efficient models.

Some people were simply wiped out by this terrible event. They lost everything, DEP

Secretary Mike Krancer said. So the Keystone HELP program is well named for this occasion

because we are extending this opportunity to those Pennsylvanians who most need this help right

now. Its rebuilding and with new energy efficiency, to boot.

Under the limited-time special Keystone HELP terms, interest rates for stand-aloneheating, cooling, windows, doors, insulation and domestic hot water systems are 4.99 percent

and 3.99 percent for Energy Star and Advanced Performance projects, respectively. Right now,

the interest rates are 8.99 percent and 7.99 percent, respectively.

The interest rate for whole house improvements or projects with Air Sealing and

Insulation done by a Building Performance Institute-certified contractor is 1.99 percent.

These special Keystone HELP rates and conditions are available through December 14,

2011.
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To qualify for the special rates, a homeowners primary residence must be in Adams, Bradford,

Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour,

Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming, or York

counties.

The primary residence must also be ineligible for federal aid under the Federal

Emergency Management Agencys disaster assistance program.The program has offered affordable energy efficiency financing options since 2006 for

Pennsylvania homeowners to purchase and install energy efficient equipment or to undertake

whole-house improvements that will result in reduced energy consumption.

Keystone HELP began offering even lower rate loans in 2009, when Treasury partnered

with DEP to expand the programs impact by using funds from Pennsylvanias Alternative

Energy Investment Act.

To date, Keystone HELP has helped approximately 8,600 homeowners finance nearly

$63 million in money-saving home improvements.

To apply, visit the Keystone HELP website or call 1-877-282-9448 to ask questions or

apply.

Both Treasury and DEP are partners in the Keystone HELP program, which is administered byAllentown-based AFC First Financial Corporation.

NewsClips: Recovery: Loans Available To Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Tropical Storm Leaves State Parks Awash In Central, Eastern PA

Several State Parks remain closed and cleanups and damage assessments continue in the wake of

Tropical Storm Lees torrential rains and flooding in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

In Sullivan County, Worlds End State Park was closed after the Loyalsock Creek again

surged over its banks, cutting the park off from routes 154 and 87. In January 2010, extensive

flooding had washed out a bridge leading to the parks campgrounds; heavy damage is againreported in that area where repairs had been made after earlier flooding.

Emergency road repairs immediately following Hurricane Irene late last month have been

washed out. Approximately 20-22 tons of gravel were washed away. All safety signs installed

after Irene were safely recovered before the water came up again.

Campers were safely evacuated at Worlds End, where phones and computers were

knocked out of service, and undermining of bridges and roads was reported. All three day-use

lots were flooded. The Loyalsock Creek surged quickly with levels south of the park dropping

from 20.4 feet at 5 a.m. September 8 to 2.67 feet at 5:16 a.m. September 9.

Surrounding Worlds End State Park, the Loyalsock State Forest District again reported

widespread damage along the Loyalsock Creek, with many state forest roads closed as a result of

breaching and undermining. Severely damaged was a stretch of Route 87 near Loyalsockville,where flooding left the roadway impassable. Numerous state forest roads also remain closed.

Along the Susquehanna River, Shikellamy, Milton and Susquehanna state parks all were

closed September 7, and Shikellamy marina customers were advised to remove their boats. On

September 9, Shikellamy park reports listed the river at 21.45 feet above normal and falling from

a crest of 31.6 feet. Located on an island, Shikellamy was evacuated. All three parks will remain

closed through the rest of this week and coming weekend. Shikellamys overlook remains open.
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Along Delaware Canal State Park stretching from Easton, Northampton County, to

Bristol, Bucks County, the canal towpath was damaged in several areas, but park officials report

preliminary signs look good but we wont know much until early next week as the Delaware

River and canal are still one in many areas

Despite opening of canal gates, water overflowed in many areas and left some aquaducts

and many roadways under water. Travel to park sites was difficult if not impossible.The Canal Towpath is closed from Easton to Wy Hit Tuk Park. There is damage to the

towpath from Smithtown to Center Bridge, and the surface is rocky and uneven making bicycle

travel difficult. The section is posted as closed to bikes.

At Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County, a predicted 8 to 11 inches of rain Sept. 8 and

9 was expected to swell the park lake past levels of Hurricane Agnes of 1972. Park initiated

closures of the modern campground, main park area and the nature inn, but the brunt of the storm

passed to the east, and flooding was not as bad as expected.

Still, beach and several launches were closed, and high water forced closings of a sewage

pumping station, bath house and restrooms. The beach which had been scheduled to close Sept.

18 will remain closed from now through the remainder of the season. Modern campground sites

also were flooded and closed to future reservations.At Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County, a mandatory 24-hour surveillance of the

lake dam was enacted amid rising lake levels approaching the spillway. Heavy deluges were a

lingering concern and hourly inspections were maintained during the height of the storm.

Other state parks reporting storm damage included:

-- Little Pine, Lycoming County: high lake water forced closing of beach and boat launch. Lake

was 25 feet above normal pool at one point, forcing the closing of Little Pine Creek Road;

-- Frances Slocum, Luzerne County: high water temporarily displaced some campers and forced

road closings;

-- Ricketts Glen, Luzerne County: temporary power outage; Falls Trail temporarily closed;

-- Beltzville, Carbon County: lake was closed to boating due to high water levels. Both thePreachers Camp and the Pine Run Boat launches were under water during the storm;

-- Ridley Creek in Delaware County and Hickory Run in Carbon County were without electricity

and phone service;

-- Tyler, Bucks County: tree fell on the Mill Dam comfort station, demolishing the roof and

stonework;

-- Swatara, Lebanon County: all roads leading to park were closed by flooding; park was closed;

-- Nescopeck, Luzerne County: pipes beneath gravel road below Lake Frances were washed out,

along with a 15-foot wide section of road.

Check on the DCNRState Parks webpage for any advisories before visiting your favorite

park.

(Reprinted from the DCNR's September 14 Resource online newsletter.)

Did You Know You Can Search 7 Years Of Digests On Any Topic?

Did you know you can search 7 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of

topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2011/11-0914-resource.aspxhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/search.asphttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/search.asphttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2011/11-0914-resource.aspxhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/


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

Twitter Instant Updates: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from : PAEnviroDigest.

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announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up andreceive 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.

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environmental groups and agencies around the state. Sign up to receive as they are posted

updates through your favorite RSS read. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting

you to new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government, including

newsclips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they are posted

updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alertingyou to new items posted on this blog.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

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

well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Session Schedule

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

Senate

September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31

November 1, 14, 15, 16

December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

House

September 26, 27, 28

October 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31

November 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Bill Calendars

House (September 26): Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) providing for the disposition

of fines under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act; Senate Bill 304 (MJ White-R-Venango)

requiring the posting of the state air quality implementation plan on the Internet; House
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Resolution 70 (Harhart-R-Lehigh) requesting the Department of Transportation to study the

potential use of quarry and other mining waste in highway and civil engineering projects.

Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (September 19): Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committees

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Open Space/Flood Hazards: House Bill 1836 (Petri-R-Bucks) authorizing a $150 million bondissue to fund open space and flood hazard mitigation projects; House Bill 1837 (Petri)

authorizing acquisition of property by local governments to eliminate flood hazards; House Bill

1838 (Petri) establishing a disaster assistance program.

Fracking Fluid Disclosure: Senate Bill 1226 (Stack-D-Philadelphia) requiring disclosure of the

composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids.

News From The Capitol

Joint Conservation Committee Holds Hearing On Ways To Reduce Rural Dumping

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee this week

heard testimony on ways to reduce rural dumping through measures like mandatory trash

collection.

The hearing was chaired by Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) who pointed out a 2008 poll

by Mansfield University found strong support for mandatory trash collection, but noted the

hearing was designed to hear all sides of the issue.

Sharon Reiter, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, said county by county surveys of dumping

in the Commonwealth found over 5,700 illegal dumpsites. She said while volunteers have

cleaned up hundreds of these sites, there is no silver bullet to deal with illegal dumping.

Stopping illegal dumping and keeping sites clean once they are cleaned up takes a multi-pronged and integrated approach that includes public education, stronger enforcement of existing

laws and access to convenient and affordable trash and recycling programs.

Cory Adams, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, said mandatory waste

collection should be a decision made at the local level, not one mandated in Harrisburg in a one-

size-fits-all approach. Adams said additional tools like more authority to prosecute illegal

dumping, a mandatory waste tire fee, increased financial support for recycling programs and
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restoring the authority of counties to set a county waste tipping fee would give local

governments more tools to deal with the issue.

Frank Denbowski, City of Reading, said illegal dumping cost the city $300,000 last year

and $240,000 for increase enforcement personnel. He said a variety of measures recommended

by community groups have been adopted, but nothing has solved the problem. Denbowski said

to be successful, the incentive to illegally dump trash must be eliminated.Geoff Zolna, Recycling Manager In Reading, told the Committee a mandate for residents

to contract with a licensed waste hauler has been unenforceable and impractical. Tracking and

determining who does and does not comply is impossible.

Nigel Walker, Reading Beautification, Inc., said mandatory trash collection is not the sole

solution to illegal dumping and recommended stronger enforcement, taking action against illegal

haulers and convert the city to a single hauler system.

Robert Bylone, PA Recycling Markets Center, Inc., said there should be an integrated

approach to address waste and recycling solutions. He said sustainable materials management,

producer responsibility, enforcement, disposal bans, logistics efficiency and planning are all

steps to be considered.

Scott Wagner, PA Waste Industries Association, said implementation of a mandatorytrash collection program could result in problems and recommended a statewide uniform

specifications to apply to bidding municipal waste collection and disposal contracts. He also

recommended allowing waste companies to file a mechanics lien against delinquent customers to

improve the quality of service.

Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Committee.

NewsClips: Lawmakers Eye Options To Battle Illegal Dumping

Panel Weighing Mandatory Trash Collection In PA

House Finance Committee Holds Hearing On Marcellus Impact Fee

The House Finance Committee Tuesday held an informational meeting at the Warren Holiday

Inn where local residents, county government officials and energy sector representatives

discussed the potential effects of an impact fee on Marcellus Shale natural gas.

This meeting was one in a series of similar forums we are holding to listen to residents

and hear their thoughts about this issue, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin), Majority Chair of

the Committee, said. The Marcellus Shale is a significant energy source that has the potential to

drastically impact our Commonwealths energy future. If this natural gas is harvested correctly,

it has the potential to produce thousands of jobs and move us closer to energy independence. We

need to determine the best way forward to promote economic growth while protecting our

environment and infrastructure assets.

Testifiers at the hearing discussed the potential benefits and downfalls of enacting animpact fee on natural gas harvested from the Marcellus Shale formation that underlies a

significant portion of Pennsylvania.

Supporters of an impact fee suggested the money could be used to pay for local programs

aimed at protecting the environment and repairing any damage to transportation infrastructure

caused by the heavy equipment used in natural gas extraction.
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Opponents cautioned that a new fee on top of all the existing taxes paid by natural gas

companies could make Pennsylvania less competitive in the market, potentially reducing the

positive economic growth and job creation that will result as more natural gas is harvested.

This is a complex issue that does not lend itself to simple answers, Rep. Benninghoff

said. As policymakers, we have a responsibility to look at both the short-term and long-term

impacts of any potential changes we might make. Meetings like this one help us to gatherinformation so that we can make informed decisions.

The House Finance Committee held an earlier meeting on the same subject on July 19 in

Lycoming County. At that hearing, legislators who introduced bills to enact impact fees on

Marcellus Shale drilling sites were given an opportunity to address the committee and explain

their proposals.

Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.



Column: Rendell Angers Drillers At Marcellus Conference

Adams County Asks State To Renew Growing Greener

News From Around The State

Coldwater Heritage Partnership Now Accepting 2012 Grant Applications

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership Monday announced the opening of the 2012 Coldwater

Conservation Grants Program. The program provides two grant opportunities, which help to

protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvanias coldwater ecosystems.

Applications for grants will be accepted through December 16.

The two grant opportunities are:

-- Planning Grant: designed to help develop a conservation plan that identifies the values andthreats that impact the health of our coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout.

The collected information can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive planning or for

development of watershed improvements projects.

-- Implementation Grant: designed to provide funding to projects identified in completed

coldwater conservation plans. Potential projects must enhance, conserve or protect the coldwater

stream for which the coldwater conservation plan was originally completed.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership urges watershed groups, conservation districts,

municipalities and local chapters of Trout Unlimited to apply.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership provides technical assistance and funding support for

the evaluation, conservation and protection of Pennsylvanias coldwater streams. Grants

averaging around $7,000, will beawarded to organizations to outline strategies and completeimplementation projects that best conserve and protect our coldwater fisheries.

Besides offering grants, CHP works to: foster greater public understanding of watershed

characteristics and how they affect coldwater ecosystems; identify special areas of concern, such

as areas with exceptional water quality and high potential for impacts; and provide technical

assistance and financial opportunities to organizations dedicated to protecting our coldwater

ecosystems.
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The CHP is a cooperative effort ofPA Council of Trout Unlimited, the Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources, the Fish and Boat Commission and the Foundation for

Pennsylvania Watersheds.

For more information, contact PATU Coldwater Resource Specialist Samantha Kutskel at

814-359-5233, or visit the Coldwater Heritage Partnership website.

Feature

Scarnati Bill Could Provide Solid Foundation For Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Talks

Earlier this year, when Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati introduced a measure to levy

a local impact fee on natural gas drillers, he had one goal in mind: To generate enough revenues

to help communities on the front lines.

Not without controversy, the bill is now poised to be the launching pad for negotiations

as lawmakers once again tackle the issue of what to do, fee-wise, and how to do it in the

Marcellus Shale region.

By Jill M. Ercolino, Managing Editor, Pennsylvania Township News

Jefferson County Republican Joe Scarnati knows what its like to be in the trenches.

Once a borough councilman and now president pro tempore of the state Senate, the three-term

lawmaker hasnt forgotten his local government roots and what its like, as a local leader, to do

more with less.

Thats why Scarnati crafted and introduced Senate Bill 1100. The proposal, one of a

handful offered this legislative session, would levy an impact fee on drillers in Pennsylvanias

Marcellus Shale region, which blankets two-thirds of the commonwealth and is one of the richest

resources of natural gas ever discovered.The fee would help municipalities and counties in drillings path deal with the side

effects of the growing industry. Many of those affected are small, rural communities along

Pennsylvanias northern and southwestern borders, often referred to as the fairway. Under the

measure, local officials would receive more than half of the funds to cover the costs of roads,

water and sewer systems, and emergency preparedness and provide more affordable housing.

My intention, Scarnati says, is to get dollars back to those communities and

neighboring communities where drilling is taking place, and Im going to continue to be a strong

advocate for that.

Is an impact fee on the horizon?

Ever since the gas boom began in the state a few years ago, lawmakers have been

haggling over what, if anything, natural gas drillers should pay to offset the impacts. Its an issuethat has divided the General Assembly and Pennsylvanians alike. Some believe drillers should

pay their fair share for the toll theyre taking, while others worry that such a levy would drive

natural gas companies to greener and more affordable pastures.

For its part, PSATS, which has many member townships on the front lines, has strongly

supported a severance tax or impact fee on natural gas extraction. The Association also contends
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that Pennsylvania should not mandate one-size-fits-all statewide zoning, which the industry has

endorsed.

PSATS Executive Director David M. Sanko took these messages with him as a member

of the governors Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission. His colleagues must have been

listening.

In its final report to Gov. Tom Corbett, the 30-member commission unanimously approved thenotion of an impact fee. The group also held that the state should maintain local land use controls

that are reasonable and based on common sense.

After the reports release, Sanko issued a news release commending the commission and

lawmakers on their hard work to address drillings side effects. He drew particular attention to

Scarnatis Senate Bill 1100, which Sanko says comes the closest to addressing the commissions

overall recommendations.

Scarnati says a local impact fee on the natural gas industry makes a lot of sense,

especially when you consider that communities that host casinos and landfills have been

receiving compensation from these lucrative operations for quite some time.

Some communities are receiving $10 million a year from casinos, he says. Its all an

issue of fairness for me.The bill would place a $10,000 fee on every well drilled in Pennsylvania. On top of that,

drillers would have to pay additional fees based on the amount of gas extracted and the price of

natural gas.

The fee would generate $121.2 million over a year and a half, Scarnati predicts, and

would not be used to plug holes in the general fund. In addition to municipalities and counties,

conservation districts would also receive a share of the funding.

Scarnati also wanted some money to be available through a statewide grant fund of sorts

to support environmental and infrastructure projects. A recent amendment, however, cut that

proposal from the bill.

A controversial componentOne thing that remains in Senate Bill 1100 is a controversial provision directing the

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which would collect and distribute the revenues, to

develop a model zoning ordinance that would pass court muster. Municipalities that adopt

ordinances that are more restrictive than the models provisions would forfeit their share of the

funding.

Scarnati has taken heat for the proposal, crafted before the Marcellus Shale Advisory

Commission released its report, but says his intention was never to force municipalities into

statewide zoning. His goal, he says, was to ensure that communities that place overly restrictive

conditions on natural gas companies, including outright bans on drilling, dont reap the fees

financial benefits.

Any township today, tomorrow, or next year can pass an ordinance that doesnt allowdrilling. This bill doesnt say they cant do that. All it says is that these communities cant get the

money, Scarnati says. The impact money is for impacts. If there is no drilling, there are no

impacts.

Still, the lawmaker says he is willing to reconsider the zoning proposal. Im on the side

of helping out, he says. If someone can give me a better mechanism to keep things fair, then

Im willing to look at it.


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Right now, Scarnati is focused on formulating an impact fee measure that the governor

will sign and believes that Senate Bill 1100 is a good starting point. At press time, he was in

negotiations with the House Republican leadership and the Governors Office to develop a bill

package that not only levies an impact fee but also addresses the environmental impacts of

drilling.

Im ready to get this done, Scarnati says. This issue has been hashed over and overagain. We have the perfect opportunity now to get something moving in the fall.

(Reprinted from thePa. Township News magazine with permission from the Pa. State Assn. of

Township Supervisors.)

Adams County, 5 Other Groups Join Renew Growing Greener Coalition

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition Wednesday applauded the Adams County Board of

Commissioners for passing a resolution calling for the renewal of Growing Greener, the states

primary source of funding to help local communities preserve open space and farmland, protect

water quality, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities.County commissioners from across the Commonwealth understand the incredible

importance of restoring funding for Growing Greener, said Andrew Heath, executive director of

the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. Our Governor and Legislature should heed the public

and restore funding for this critical program so future generations continue to have access to

clean drinking water, fresh air, locally grown food and green open spaces.

In addition to Adams County, five other groups joined the Coalition this week:

Brandywine Valley Association (West Chester), Red Clay Valley Association (West Chester),

Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association (Media) and Venango PA Senior Environmental

Corps (Oil City) have signed the Coalitions Statement of Support, which calls for the

establishment of a dedicated and sustainable source of revenue to support the renewal ofGrowing Greener.

They join 230 other organizations and groups that have also announced their support for

renewing Growing Greener.

Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Gov. Tom Ridge and

later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell. Since its establishment, Growing Greener

has created a legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvanias family

farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to

state parks and forests, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands.

Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the

Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

Yet despite the programs accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects andgrants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3

million in the current state budget. This is an 82 percent cut.

Adams County cannot afford to lose Growing Greener funds, said George Weikert,

chairman of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. Growing Greener helps counties like

ours leverage other funds that enable us to protect our farms and natural resources, which

contribute significantly to our local economy.
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Among other accomplishments, Growing Greener funds have helped Adams County to:

Preserve nearly 2,000 acres of farmland; Protect 2,400 acres of forestland and open space;

Reduce nutrient runoff and non-point source pollution from farmland, helping to restore area

watersheds; Stabilize and restore streambanks along two impaired tributaries of Marsh Creek

near Gettysburg.

To date, more than 230 organizations and groups have announced their support forrenewing Growing Greener. In addition, nearly 90 Pennsylvania municipalities and 23 counties,

representing more than 5 million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions urging the Governor

and Legislature to renew Growing Greener funding.

The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealths largest coalition of

conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing over 300 organizations

and government entities.



Column: Rendell Angers Drillers At Marcellus Conference

Adams County Asks State To Renew Growing Greener

Commonwealth Financing Authority Invests In Renewable Energy, Wastewater Projects

The Commonwealth Financing Authority will invest in five projects in five counties for the

purchase and installation of alternative energy solutions that will reduce costs, recycle waste and

help Pennsylvania meet the Chesapeake Bay nutrient requirement.

Todays investments will help consumers and businesses reduce energy costs and have a

positive environmental impact, Department of Community and Economic Development

Secretary C. Alan Walker said. In addition to reducing the consumption of electricity from the

power grid, these projects will positively impact the communities surrounding them by diverting

waste from landfills.Through The Alternative and Clean Energy Program and the Renewable Energy

Program, Pennsylvania is expanding its commitment to helping businesses meet water-quality

standards with the investment of nearly $1.8 million in grants and loans for five projects in Blair,

Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Wayne counties.

The Alternative and Clean Energy Program and the Renewable Energy Program provides

financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds for alternative, clean and renewable

energy projects in the Commonwealth.

The programs are administered jointly by the Department of Community and Economic

Development and the Department of Environmental Protection, under the direction of the CFA.

A list of projects funded is available online.

EPA Hearing On Oil & Gas Production Standards In Pittsburgh September 27

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold three public hearings in September on the

agencysproposed standards to reduce air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations.

The first hearing will be in Pittsburgh on September 27 followed by hearings in Denver,

Colorado and Arlington, Texas.
http://www.renewgrowinggreener.org/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Corbett-Drilling-fee-should-aid-locals-cleanups-.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/insights/129928138.htmlhttp://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/local/article_59a848ab-2838-558e-b5ed-e6647e1c810e.htmlhttp://www.newpa.com/find-incentives-apply-for-funding/commonwealth-financing-authorityhttp://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt?open=18&objID=1184347&mode=2http://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/http://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/http://www.pa.gov/portal/server.pt?open=18&objID=1184347&mode=2http://www.newpa.com/find-incentives-apply-for-funding/commonwealth-financing-authorityhttp://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/local/article_59a848ab-2838-558e-b5ed-e6647e1c810e.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/insights/129928138.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Corbett-Drilling-fee-should-aid-locals-cleanups-.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/129894508.htmlhttp://www.renewgrowinggreener.org/


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The proposed standards would rely on cost-effective, existing technologies and practices

to reduce pollution that contributes to smog and can cause cancer, while supporting the

administrations priority of continuing to expand safe and responsible domestic oil and natural

gas production.

EPA must issue a final rule by February 28, 2012.

The Pittsburgh hearing will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Rooms315-316 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To register to speak at a specific time at any of the hearings, please contact Joan C.

Rogers at 919-541-4487 or send email to: [email protected]. People also may sign up to

speak in person on the day of a hearing; however, they may not be given their preferred time slot

to speak.

For more information, visit EPA's Oil and Gas Standards webpage.

NewsClip: First EPA Hearing On Fracking In Pittsburgh

Penn State Extension: Finding Your Pennsylvania Streams Designated Aquatic Life Use

A lot of citizens in the Marcellus Shale Region of Pennsylvania are concerned about the streamsthat run through their watershed or on their property. The first step is to identify the "Aquatic

Life Use Designation" for that stream.

Individuals and watershed associations have started monitoring streams for water quality.

Landowners hear the terms High Quality or Exceptional Value and wonder what this is all

about. These terms refer to the Designated Uses which are the uses specified in Chapter 93

regulations (25 Pa. Code) for each surface water body in Pennsylvania, whether or not the

stream's defined standards are currently being met.

If you want to find out the Aquatic Life Use Designation for your stream, it is an easy

process.

First search on the Internet for 25 Pa Code 93.9. When you scroll down on this page,you will see a list of the drainage basins in Pennsylvania. You need to identify the drainage basin

where your stream is located. You will see that the drainage basins are listed in alphabetical

order.

For example the beginning of the Allegheny River Drainage Basin is labeled P. You

can then do another search 25 PA Code 93.9p and this should get you to the list of the streams

in your drainage basin and their designated use.

Pennsylvania has established the following designated uses for aquatic life: Warm Water

Fishes (WWF); Cold Water Fishes (CWF); Trout Stocking Fishery (TSF); Migratory Fishes

(MF); High Quality Warm Water Fishes (HQ-WWF); High Quality Cold Water Fishes (HQ-

CWF); High Quality Trout Stocking Fishery (HQ-TSF); and Exceptional Value (EV).

You should now be able to find your stream on the list and determine its designated uselevel. Warm Water Fishes (WWF) streams require the minimum amount of protection in order to

sustain their designated use.

Exceptional Value (EV) streams require the maximum amount of protection to sustain

their designated use. The anti-degradation regulations, another part of Pennsylvanias Water

Quality Standards, give special protections to HQ streams, and even greater protection to EV

streams.
mailto:[email protected]://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11259/1175065-53.stmhttp://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter93/s93.9.htmlhttp://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter93/s93.9.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11259/1175065-53.stmhttp://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/mailto:[email protected]


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Penn State Extension also offers a specialNatural Gas webpage with much more on

Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania.

NewsClip: Penn State Extension, College Of Agriculture Eliminates 130 Positions

(Written By: Jim Clark, Extension Educator, and reprinted from the Watershed Winds online

newsletter distributed by Penn State Extension.)

Spring Creek Watershed Association Celebrates 15 Years Of Stewardship

The Spring Creek Watershed Association in Centre County will celebrate 15 years of watershed

protection and education with special programs at their September and October meetings.

September 20

Caren Glotfelty, Director of the Heinz Endowments Environmental Program, returns to

the Spring Creek Watershed Association to share her vision for sustainable communities where

a sense of place not only matters, but is an i

pa environment digest sept. 19, 2011

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