Pa Environment Digest Feb. 21, 2011

8/7/2019 Pa Environment Digest Feb. 21, 2011

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

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa February 21, 2011

Federal Appeals Court Overturns Judgment Against DEP Employees

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania this week overturned a federal

jurys verdict that held four employees of the Department of Environmental Protection liable for

$6.5 million in damages for alleged regulatory misconduct.

The case, MFS, Inc. v Thomas A. Dilazaro, et al., was decided by a jury on February 17,2010. DEP appealed the decision.

The four employees, which were sued as individuals, were Michael Bedin, Director of the

Northeast Regional Office; Thomas DiLazaro, former Air Quality Program Manager; Mark

Wejksner, current Air Quality Program Manager; and Sean Robbins, an attorney with the

agency.

The jury found the four employees acted outside their official capacities in issuing

notices of violations and enforcement actions involving odor complaints at the facility and in

considering a Title V air quality permit for the facility in such a way as to violate the First

Amendment rights of MFS, Inc., violate its right to due process and treated their case uniquely,

violating the equal protection clause of the federal constitution.

MFS, Inc. filed the lawsuit in 2008 after it said it was forced to shutdown.

A copy of the decision is available online.

NewsClip: Judge Reverses Jury's $6.5 Million Verdict Against DEP Employees

Poll: Public Supports Selling Liquor Stores, State Worker Layoffs To Balance Budget

Although the largest share of Pennsylvania registered voters, 50 percent, don't yet have an

opinion of Gov. Tom Corbett's job performance, the new governor gets a 39 - 11 percent

approval rating from those who do have an opinion, according to a Quinnipiac University

poll released this week.

But by a 53 - 33 percent margin, voters don't believe Gov. Corbett can keep his promiseto balance the budget without raising taxes, similar to a 55 - 31 percent finding in a December

survey by the independent Quinnipiac University.

Gov. Corbett does not need to convince voters the state's budget problems are real: 61

percent say the state's budget woes are "very serious," while 34 percent say "somewhat serious,"

an unusually large percentage.

Among the budget solutions presented to voters responding to the poll--

-- 65 - 26 percent support selling liquor stores;
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.pennfuture.org/userfiles11/MSFdecision02-16-11.pdfhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-reverses-jury-s-6-5-million-decision-against-dep-employees-1.1106682http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1558http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1558http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1558http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1327.xml?ReleaseID=1558http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-reverses-jury-s-6-5-million-decision-against-dep-employees-1.1106682http://www.pennfuture.org/userfiles11/MSFdecision02-16-11.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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-- 52 - 40 percent support laying off state workers;

-- 51 - 46 percent support increasing legalized gambling in the state to help meet the budget

deficit;

-- 51 - 36 percent support selling or leasing the Pennsylvania turnpike to raise cash; and

-- 63 - 33 percent oppose raising taxes.

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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 Senate and House schedule--

Senate

February 28

March 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 (Budget Hearings Weeks of 14th, 21th & 28th)

April 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27

May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24

June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
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House

February 28

March 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9, (Budget Hearings Weeks of 14th, 21th & 28th)

April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, (25 NV), 26, and 27

May 2, 3, 4, 9. 10, 11, 23, 24, and 25June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, and 30

Bill Calendars

House (February 28): House Bill 144 (Pickett-R-Bradford) further providing for corrective

language regarding when roll-back taxes are due when an oil or gas well is drilled on enrolled

land. Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (February 28): Senate Bill 151 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) providing for the sharing of Air

Pollution Control Act fines and penalties; Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) further

providing for reports under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. Click Here for full Senate BillCalendar.

Committees

House: the Consumer Affairs Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 344 (Baker-R-Tioga)

further providing for gas pipeline safety; the House Democratic Policy Committee holds a

hearing on House Bill 33 (Vitali-D-Delaware) imposing a severance tax on Marcellus Shale

natural gas production in Upper Merion Township. 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--

House

Public-Private Transportation Partnerships: House Bill 3 (Geist-R-Blair) providing for

public-private transportation partnerships. (Note: House Transportation Committee set to

consider the bill March 3.)

Eastern Box Turtle: House Bill 634 (Curry-D-Montgomery) designing the Eastern Box Turtle

as the official reptile of the Commonwealth.

Surface Damages From Drilling: House Bill 690 (Hanna-D-Centre) establishing provisions for

securing compensation for surface property owner in the event of damage from oil or gas

drilling.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0144http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0303http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0344http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0033http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0003http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=634http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0690http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0690http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=634http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0003http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0033http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0344http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0303http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0144


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Landslide Insurance/Assistance Program: House Bill 698 (DeLuca-D-Allegheny) establishing

a Landslide Insurance and Assistance Program.

Open Space Protection: House Bill 699 (Hickernell-R-Lancaster) further providing for open

space uses and protection.

Hybrid Vehicle Inspection Exemption: House Bill 703 (Boyd-R-Lancaster) exempting hybrid

vehicles from vehicle emissions inspection

Mechanics Lien: House Bill 710 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) amending the Mechanics Lien Law

further providing for right to lien and amount.

Stormwater Appeals: House Bill 751 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) providing for municipal appeals of

stormwater management plan actions taken by DEP.

Sewage Facilities Act Study: House Resolution 71 (Gillespie-R-York) directing the LegislativeBudget and Finance Committee to review the sewage facilities management program.

Senate

Waste Permit Violations: Senate Bill 351 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) and Senate Bill 532

(Rafferty) increasing penalties for certain waste permit violations.

Plastic Bag Tax: Senate Bill 590 (Leach-D-Montgomery) imposing a tax of 2 cents per plastic

bag supplied by a retail establishment to customers.

Replacement Water: Senate Bill 596 (Costa-D-Allegheny) establishing the Emergency

Drinking Water Support Fund for water sources affected by drilling.

Landslide Insurance: Senate Bill 597 (Costa-D-Allegheny) establishing a Landslide Insurance

and Assistance Program.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

Senate

Air Pollution Fines: Senate Bill 151 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) providing for the sharing of Air

Pollution Control Act fines and penalties was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources

and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0698http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0699http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=702http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=710http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0751http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=R&BN=0071http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=531http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0532http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0590http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0596http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0597http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0597http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0596http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0590http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0532http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=531http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=R&BN=0071http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0751http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=710http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=702http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0699http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=0698


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Coal-Drilling Coordination: Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango) amending the Coal and

Gas Resource Coordination Act to further provide for drilling through coal reserves was reported

from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and then referred to the Senate

Appropriations Committee.

Keystone Fund Report: Senate Bill 302 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for reportingthe use of monies from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was reported from

the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and referred to the Senate

Appropriations Committee.

Hazardous Sites Report: Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for reports

under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources

and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Air Plan Reviews: Senate Bill 304 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for review of Air

Pollution State Implementation Plans was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources

and Energy Committee and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Pipeline Safety: Senate Bill 325 (Baker-R-Luzerne) authorizing the PUC to have jurisdiction

over certain pipelines was amended and reported from the Senate Consumer Protection and

Professional Licensure Committee and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

House

Clean & Green: House Bill 143 (Major-R-Susquehanna) adding provisions in Act 319 farmland

preferential assessment allowing the split off of land for wireless services and mineral rights

development was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed bythe House. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Clean & Green II: House Bill 144 (Pickett-R-Bradford) further providing for corrective

language regarding when roll-back taxes are due when an oil or gas well is drilled on enrolled

land (amended), and House Bill 562 (Gillen-R-Berks) amending the Agricultural Area Security

Law by providing for contiguous acreage were both reported from the House Agriculture and

Rural Affairs Committee. House Bill 144 is now on the House Calendar for action and House

Bill 562 was Tabled.

Lyme Disease: House Bill 272 (Hess-R-Bedford) creating the Lyme and Related Tick-Borne

Disease Education, Prevention and Treatment Program was reported from the House HealthCommittee with a request it be re-referred to the House Human Services Committee and it was.

Coal Industry Recognition: House Resolution 55 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) recognizing the fact that

2010 was fatality free for the Pennsylvania coal industry was adopted by the House.

News From The Capitol
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Senate Environmental Committee OKs Bills On Air Pollution Fines, Coal-Drilling

Coordination

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved a variety of bills, many

of which passed the Senate last year and died in the House. They include:-- Air Pollution Fines: Senate Bill 151 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) providing for the sharing of Air

Pollution Control Act fines and penalties;

-- Coal-Drilling Coordination: Senate Bill 265 (MJ White-R-Venango) amending the Coal and

Gas Resource Coordination Act to further provide for drilling through coal reserves;

-- Keystone Fund Report: Senate Bill 302 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for

reporting the use of monies from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund;

-- Hazardous Sites Report: Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for

reports under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act; and

-- Air Plan Reviews: Senate Bill 304 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for review of

Air Pollution State Implementation Plans.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen.John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair.

Senate Committee To Hold Confirmation Hearing For New Secretary Of DEP March 2

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider the nomination

of Acting Secretary Michael Krancer for Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection on

March 2.

The hearing will be held in the Senate Majority Caucus Room starting at 9:30.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen.

John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Majority Chair.The process for Senate consideration of other individuals Gov. Corbett nominated to fill

cabinet positions began to roll forward this week with the referral of 13 nominations to their

appropriate standing committees for hearings.

Gov. Corbett has yet to name his picks for the departments of Labor and Industry and

Conservation and Natural Resources and the new Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

The other nominees referred include:

-- Acting Secretary of Banking Glenn Moyer and Acting Insurance CommissionerMichael

Consedine, to the Banking and Insurance Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele and Acting Secretary of General

Services Sheri Phillips to the State Government Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of Community and Economic Development Alan Walker to the Community,Economic and Recreational Development Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel to the Judiciary Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis to the Education Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of Health Eli Avila and Acting Secretary of Public Welfare Gary

Alexander to the Public Health and Welfare Committee;

-- Acting Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser to the Finance Committee;

-- Acting State Police CommissionerFrank Noonan to the Law and Justice Committee;
http://www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.htmhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0265http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0302http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0303http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0304http://www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.htmhttp://www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.htmhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0304http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0303http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0302http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0265http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=S&type=B&BN=0151http://www.senatormjwhite.com/environmental.htm


7/26

-- Acting Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch to the Transportation Committee.

Traditionally, each nominee must meet or offer to meet with each of the Senators before a

vote can be taken on his or her nomination. There are also a variety of financial interest and

other forms which must be filed with the Senate. Filling these forms is typically what leads to

some delay in the referral of nominations.

It is up to the individual committees to now hold hearings or otherwise consider thenomination of each candidate.

March 3 Environmental Issues Forum Features Presentation On Green Buildings

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee March 3

Environmental Issues Forum will feature a presentation by David Sheridan and Mark Lambdin

of the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania.

Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Lambdin will discuss the mission and activities of the Green

Building Association of Central Pennsylvania and highlight current trends in the green building

industry regionally and statewide.

They will also examine the forest product industrys involvement with and opportunitiesin todays green building standards and how the industry could increase its participation in green

buildings. The presenters will also offer suggestions on legislative and regulatory initiatives that

could advance the green building industry.

The Forum will begin at noon in Room G-50 Irvis Building.

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

Senators To Hold Hearing March 14 On Windmills In Lake Erie

Senators Jane Earll (R-Erie) and Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, will hold a hearing March 14 on the issue oflocating windmills in Lake Erie.

Several wind turbine developers have expressed interest in building windmills off

Pennsylvania's portion of the Lake Erie coastline, leasing the rights for development from the

Commonwealth.

The hearing will begin with presentations from individuals representing various

perspectives on the future of wind energy in general and include information on the prospect of

windmills off the shore of Pennsylvania in Lake Erie. After the presentations, there will be an

opportunity for Q & A.

The hearing will be held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Centerat the entrance of

Presque Isle State Park in Erie and will begin at 9:30.

For more information or to submit a comment, visit Sen. Earll's Offshore Wind EnergyHearing webpage.

News From Around The State

CBF Statement On U.S. House, President Obama Budget Proposals
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Bakerissued a statement this week

concerning the impact of the U.S. House of Representatives and Obama Administration proposed

budgets on clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region:

The House Appropriations Committee and the Obama Administration have released

starkly different budget proposals regarding clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region. The

House proposal would make devastating cuts to clean water programs, while theAdministrations budget honors the federal commitment to achieve pollution reduction goals,

and is an extraordinary commitment in these tough budget times. CBF urges the Senate to reject

the House cuts, support funding the Presidents budget, and work to restore funding the State

Revolving Fund, one of the few tools that helps cities and towns reduce pollution.

Background

Six weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency, six states, and the District of

Columbia ushered in a new era of cooperation and ended years of stalling when they released

detailed plans to reduce Chesapeake Bay pollution to restore water quality over the next 15

years. Meeting those science-based and legally-required goals is going to require significant and

sometimes costly effort from citizens, towns, cities, and states.

This years Chesapeake Bay Foundation State of the Bay report suggests that pollution-cutting measures that have been taken in past years are beginning to show results. On a scale of

100, the Bays overall score jumped from three points to 31 on a theoretical scale of zero to 100.

This years gains were the largest in the history of our report. The detailed plans released at the

end of 2010 have the potential to achieve much more progress towards the goal of a saved Bay if

everyone does his part.

Citizens and state and local governments are stepping up to do their part; Congress must

as well. Whether delivered to cities and towns, rural areas, or individual landowners and farmers,

the federal governments assistance is critical to meeting the ambitious pollution reduction goals.

The House Appropriations Committee envisions cuts for the remainder of fiscal year

2011 that would significantly set back those efforts. A 20 percent cutback in the currentChesapeake Bay Program budget, a 67 percent cut to the current Clean Water State Revolving

Fund that assists cities and towns in reducing pollution, a 50 percent cut for Blue Plains (the

Chesapeakes largest wastewater treatment facility), an 11 percent cut in technical conservation

assistance to farmers, and many other reductions take us in the wrong direction. Furthermore,

they place additional burdens on cities and towns and on individual rate-payers to fund pollution

reduction programs.

On the other hand, President Obamas fiscal year 2012 budget, which was released today,

attempts to uphold the Presidents commitment to clean water in a budget cutting environment.

The centerpiece of the restoration efforts the Chesapeake Bay Program is increased 35

percent over current levels, while other programs also show increases or modest decreases.

Poll after poll shows that the public is concerned about creating jobs and keeping theeconomy strong. Efforts to restore clean water creates jobs for engineers, construction workers,

agricultural technical assistance providers, farmers, and many others, and are fundamental to the

long-term health of this region.

Click Here for more details.

EPA Chesapeake Bay TMDL Tracking And Accounting System
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This week a new Chesapeake Bay TMDL Tracking and Accounting System was announced to

inform the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Bay Jurisdictions, and the public on

progress in implementing the Bay Total Maximum Daily Load.

Future versions of BayTAS will include reporting of Best Management Practice

implementation and verification.

Click Here to learn more.

Grants Available For Upper Delaware Forest Landowners

A new million-dollargrant program for private landowners in the upper Delaware River Basin to

implement watershed forestry practices was launched this week by the Common Waters

Foundation.

Forest owners in three states will be eligible to receive financial assistance for

implementing sustainable forest management projects on their property. Grants are available to

forest land owners in Pike, Wayne and Monroe counties are eligible in Pennsylvania.

The first quarterly deadline for applying is May 2 and the first grants will be made in

June. The initial financing for the Fund comes from the United States Endowment for Forestryand Communities. The Common Waters Fund is one of several pilot programs they are

supporting, with the aim of linking forest and faucets around the country. In the future the

Fund hopes to attract more investors interested in protecting sources of drinking water.

Ensuring healthy forests in the Upper Delaware Watershed is critical to maintaining

quality drinking water for 15 million water users, said Carol Collier, Chair of the Pinchot

Institute for Conservation, which administers the program. We want to support landowners in

these priority areas as they take important steps to maintain their forests over the long term.

The Common Waters Fund will provide incentives to qualifying landowners to

implement forest stewardship plans, watershed forestry management practices, and/or

conservation easements over the next two years.Development, fragmentation, and other issues threaten the health of our forests as well

as the infrastructure functions that they provide. More than 180 million Americans get their

drinking water from forests, said Carlton Owen, President and CEO of the Endowment.

Finding ways to incent private landowners to care for their forests today will help

protect source water for years to come.

Grants up to $25,000 will be available for eligible landowners, qualified land trusts and

timber harvesting operators for the following:

-- Forest Stewardship Plans - Forest owners can apply for funds to have a forester write a new

or upgraded forest stewardship plan for their property.

-- Forest Management Practices - Landowners can apply for funds to offset the costs of

implementing certain forest management practices that will improve forest health and protectwater quality.

-- Conservation Easements - The Common Waters Fund will provide financial assistance to

qualified 501(c)3 land trusts to assist with expenses related to placing a conservation easement

on a property.

-- Timber Bridges - Logging operators can apply for funds to defray the cost of construction,

purchase, or rental of portable timber/skid bridges to minimize erosion and sedimentation on

streams in priority areas.
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This is a terrific opportunity for landowners who care about the health of their forest,

said Sue Currier, Executive Director of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, a partner in the

Common Waters initiative. We are looking for landowners who have always wanted to do right

by their forests but couldn't afford the upfront investment."

Interested landowners should visit the web site, www.commonwatersfund.org, to learn

more about eligibility and program requirements and to download an application. They are alsourged to contact their County Coordinator listed below for help with their application. More than

two dozen partner organizations are part of the Common Waters initiative, including the

Delaware River Basin Commission, county conservation districts and planning departments, the

National Park Service, and state forestry agencies.

A complete copy of the announcement is available online.

DEP Rescinds State Parks, State Forest Land Gas Permit Review Policy

The Department of Environmental Protectionpublished notice this week it is rescinding the

policy issued by Gov. Rendell just days before theNovember election to require further

evaluation of the impacts of oil and gas permit applications on State Parks and State Forest land.DEP said in its notice the policy was being rescinded because it was not subject to any

public review prior to being issued and that the agency already implements sufficient controls

under Section 205(c) of the Oil and Gas Act in permit reviews.

Gov. Rendell leased over 137,000 acres of State Forest Land for Marcellus Shale natural

gas drilling during his tenure.

Webinar Series: Get Trained Online to Use FracTracker

So you've checked out FracTracker's blog and DataTool, but you are still not quite sure how to

get the most out of this system and you don't have time to attend one of our in-person trainingsessions.

Then you're in luck! Sam Malone, CHEC's Communication's Specialist, will be kicking

off a series of 10 online training sessions to give you that boost you need. Audience participation

is encouraged!

These sessions are scheduled to occur about every two weeks from February 21 - June

29, 2011. They are free, but registration is required.

FracTracker is a new web-based tool for tracking and visualizing data related to

Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction put together by the Center for Healthy Environments and

Communities at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Fractracker, hosted by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds and managed by

CHEC, was funded by The Heinz Endowments and designed by Pittsburgh-based Rhiza Labs.The system is designed to assess documented and predicted impacts of gas extraction and

correlate them with the geographic location of wells and production facilities.

Click Here for full webinar schedule.

Spotlight

Temple Researchers Focus Attention On Drilling, Other Threats To Water Resources
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From abandoned mines to drilling in the Marcellus Shale, urban

and suburban sprawl to agriculture and residential runoff, Temple

faculty are examining the impact of a range of threats to

Pennsylvanias water resources and seeking ways to mitigate

potential problems.Pennsylvanias long history as a leading producer of coal

has made acid mine drainage in abandoned mines a major problem

across the state. Rock left behind after coal is extracted contains

sulfur impurities that decompose and form sulfuric acid when exposed to air, water or microbes.

When water fills a mines underground tunnels, it leaches the sulfuric acid off the walls

and can get into the nearby groundwater, said Temple Chemistry Professor Daniel Strongin,

who is developing a technology to combat this problem.

Chemicals such as lime are used to neutralize acidic runoff, but they do not eliminate the

root cause, Strongin said. So his lab is developing a technology that uses lipid molecules that

bind to the metal sulfide, forming a hydrophobic layer that keeps water, oxygen and bacteria

from causing it to decompose.Temple is also playing a major role in informing the debate on one of the biggest

economic and environmental issues confronting Pennsylvania. Through the Center for Natural

Resources Development and Protection, the university has become a primary facilitator of

discussion and research on the removal of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation

through hydro-fracking.

NRDP researchers are investigating the potential for leakage of contaminants during the

process and assessing the potential impact on the environment.

If you have leakage from the well casing, say a half-mile below the surface, we want to

know how far will that leakage disperse from the well site will it go a half-mile sideways and

into nearby groundwater, lakes and streams or will it come straight up around the well site, saidMichel Boufadel, director of NRDP and chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Fifty

years down the road, someone is going to ask if we did a risk assessment on this drilling and it

would behoove us to be able to say, Yes, we did.

On another environmental issue, Earth and Environmental Science Professor Laura Toran

is investigating stream erosion rates caused by increases in stormwater runoff as a consequence

of urban and suburban sprawl. Land development throughout the state has created more

impervious surfaces, causing increased runoff into creeks and streams. Torans work examines

the resulting erosion, as well as the efficiency of stormwater control systems.

There are a number of reasons why stream erosion is bad, she said. Obviously, the

banks eventually begin to fall apart, which brings down trees along the stream. Plus the sediment

starts to build up, choking the stream and smothering the macro-invertebrates that are livingthere. When they die, the fish that feed off them die.

Toran said that Pennsylvania requires that new structures have stormwater controls in

place; however, there is currently no monitoring system to ensure that they work.

We can see these streams are being damaged because of the stormwater runoff; we can

measure the damage and the rates of damage, and thats important, she said. But we also want

to be working on solutions and improving our solutions to these problems by investigating what

is working and what is not working.
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Elsewhere, Temple researchers are studying another type of runoff in Pennsylvanias

waterways. Sponsored by Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection, NRDP

researchers Boufadel and Benoit Van Aken are studying the impact on the Delaware estuary of

nutrients found in fertilizers used in farming and lawn care.

If you have a lot of nutrients in the water it can cause an algae bloom, which can block

photosynthesis at shallow depths, said Boufadel. But more importantly, when the algae die andbegin to decay, they deplete the oxygen in the water, which can kill fish.

Boufadel said they are examining the ecosystem resilience to these nutrient loadings,

which keep increasing each year. Through a monitoring site on Tinicum Island, the researchers

are evaluating how the rivers banks serve as a natural kidney function that cleans the nutrients

out of the river.

For more information, visit the Temple University Center for Natural Resources

Development and Protection webpage.

Dominion Foundation Offers Education Partnership Grants

Dominion and the Dominion Foundation are now accepting applications to provide elementaryand secondary and post-secondary educators with Education Partnership Grants. The deadline

for applications is May 1.

Elementary/Secondary

Grants of up to $10,000 are designed to encourage the development of new programs to

strengthen math and science education through the study of energy or the environment. Click

Here for program details.

Higher Education Grants

Dominion is also seeking applicants for its Higher Educational Partnership grants

designed to encourage the development of programs for post-secondary students aimed at

developing a skilled work force in areas critical to Dominion. Click Here for more information.Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a

portfolio of more than 27,600 megawatts of generation, 12,000 miles of natural gas transmission,

gathering and storage pipeline and 6,000 miles of electric transmission lines.

Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system with 942 billion cubic

feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 13 states. Corporate headquarters

are in Richmond, Va.

Pittsburgh Releases Allegheny RiverFront Vision Plan

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl this week announced the release of the Allegheny Riverfront

Vision, a community-driven master plan for the Allegheny Riverfront extending from theConvention Center to the eastern border of the City.

Created by a consultant team led by Perkins Eastman Associates on behalf of the three

partnering organizations, including the City, URA and Riverlife, the Allegheny Riverfront

Vision lays out a framework for sustainable development along 6.5 miles of urban riverfront,

with recommendations related to ecology, transportation, market and urban design.

The Allegheny Riverfront Vision, through the feedback of hundreds of citizens, has

assessed the potential of some of Pittsburghs most exciting riverfront neighborhoods,
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Ravenstahl said. With this road map now in place, Pittsburgh has the once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to enhance urban communities like the Strip and Lawrenceville in ways that will

create more jobs, attract new residents and reconnect the neighborhoods to our riverfronts.

The planning process, which began in April of 2009, included feedback from residents,

property-owners, business-owners, public officials, non-profit representatives and other

community stakeholders. Community participation for the plan included dozens ofneighborhood meetings as well as various activities, such as a historic bike tour, a kayak trip, an

outing on the Riverquest educational boat, that allowed participants to envision this part of the

City in new ways.

Key elements of the Vision include new riverfront residential development in the Strip

and Lawrenceville. Other recommendations include a streetcar providing new transportation

options for residents and employees of the area, the creation of a multi-modal green boulevard

along the existing Allegheny Valley Railroad right-of-way that includes a continuous bicycle and

pedestrian path, and various strategies for ecological restoration and stormwater management

both along the riverfront itself and in more developed industrial areas.

The Allegheny Riverfront Vision combines the very best in urban planning with the

hopes and dreams of neighborhood residents and stakeholders in the Strip and Lawrenceville,said URA Executive Director Rob Stephany. There are exciting recommendations that can be

implemented in the next 1-2 years to maximize the potential of these neighborhoods. At the same

time, the Vision is clear about which areas should be left alone because they work and

effectively contribute to Pittsburghs urban character.

The plan is already driving new development along the corridor. The URA has entered

into an agreement with The Buncher Company that will free up two large riverfront locations for

development, one between 11th and 21st Street in the Strip District and the other between 43rd

and 48th Street in Lawrenceville.

The third area of interest is a former industrial site next to the 62nd Street bridge, which

will be used as a relocation spot for industrial uses currently located on land better suited forresidential or mixed-use development.

Transportation elements of the plan are also progressing. The City of Pittsburgh was

recently awarded $1.5 million in TIGER II/Community Challenge funding from the federal

Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation to study

the Green Boulevard concept along the corridors only rail right-of-way in more detail.

The Citys Planning department was awarded a Pennsylvania Community Transportation

Initiative grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to study Strip District traffic

patterns in more detail.

The completed Allegheny Riverfront Vision is available online.

NewsClips: Pittsburgh Mayor Details Allegheny River Vision

Plan Puts Reinvigorated Allegheny Riverfront At Center Stage

Support For Conservation Districts, Taxing Gas Holdings Among County Priorities For

2011

County leaders from throughout Pennsylvania this week unveiled a list of ten key county

government priorities for 2011 that call on state lawmakers to partner with counties for efficient

delivery of important services to state residents.
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Among the priorities were funding for transportation infrastructure, restoring the ability

to assess oil and gas as real property, strengthening conservation districts relationship with DEP,

increasing oil and gas pipeline safety and continuing investments in farmland preservation.

County leaders were in Harrisburg at the state capitol to not only unveil the list of

priorities, but to also acknowledge that counties understand it will be another difficult budget

year for all levels of government.Our goals are ambitious, as we do recognize that this will be another difficult budget

year at all levels, Mark Hamilton, Tioga County commissioner and 2011 president of the

County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania said. However, we must emphasize the

key message central to all of our priorities: Funding cuts at the state level do not automatically

equate to cost savings for local taxpayers.

Hamilton said the priorities reflect a consensus of Pennsylvanias county governments on

issues of highest significance and greatest potential impact to counties and their taxpayers.

Counties legislative priorities for 2011 represent our proactive agenda that we will

work to advance. They clearly demonstrate county officials commitment to improve tax equity

for local residents and our desire to improve government efficiency. Counties seek real cost

savings and will work to assure that funding decisions made at the state level do not adverselyimpact local taxpayers, Hamilton said.

The counties top priority is mandate relief, designed to seek reprieve from state

mandates that are unnecessary or outdated.

Outdated and unnecessary mandates and statutory provisions create additional costs and

divert taxpayer dollars from their most effective use, Hamilton explained. Our mandate relief

priority list is about finding more cost-effective ways to do business and to maximize the use of

todays very limited public dollars for programs and services to our residents. Counties very

much understand the taxpayers desire to assure tax dollars are used judiciously and in the best

manner possible.

Hamilton also discussed counties sensitivity to the ongoing effects of the recession andconcerns related to the Commonwealth budget for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Hamilton noted that county officials are actively engaged in the public debate on a broad

range of issues and seek to be part of the solutions that will ensure limited resources are being

used effectively and best address the needs of local communities.

We are extending a hand in partnership. County governments stand ready to work with

the General Assembly and the Corbett administration to empower county officials to maintain

programs and services in the face of budget cuts and identify areas where cost savings can be

achieved, Hamilton concluded.

A complete list of priorities is available online.

NewsClip: County Commissioners Call For Mandate Relief

Reminder: Nominations For 2011 Western PA Environmental Awards Due March 1

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is still accepting nominations for the 2011 Western

Pennsylvania Environmental Awards, sponsored by Dominion. The deadline for nominations is

March 1.

The Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards are open to any group, individual,

program, company, or organization located and working in the following Western Pennsylvania
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counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre,

Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana,

Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, and

Westmoreland.

Winners will receive a $5,000 cash award designated to the nonprofit organization of

their choice and other recognition. 2009 winners included Linda McKenna Boxx.Nominations may be submitted online or a nomination form can be downloaded and

mailed to: Pennsylvania Environmental Council, 2011 Western PA Environmental Awards, 22

Terminal Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

PROP Sets 2011 Schedule For Professional Certification Training

The PA Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania has established its

2011 schedule for Recycling Professional Certification Programs.

County and municipal recycling coordinators, sustainability

coordinators and anyone new to recycling, organics or the waste

industry would benefit from these courses. Click here for the schedule and more information.

Final Report Gives Insight Into The Return On Environment From Open Space

Return on Environment, the final version ofThe Economic Value of

Protected Open Space in Southeastern Pennsylvania report has been

released by the GreenSpace Alliance and the Delaware Valley Regional

Planning Commission.

This report is the first to quantify the economic value of protected

open space in the five-county Philadelphia metropolitan area. Preserved

open spaces are so much more than just pretty places. They contribute toour local economies and property values. They help us save on everything

from health care to recreation, and they perform valuable ecosystem

services that naturally clean the air we breathe and the water we drink.

The study was completed by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Econsult, and

Keystone Conservation Trust. For organizations wanting to find out more, a PowerPoint

presentation is available that not only summarizes the results, it highlights the regions scenic

open spaces.

The final report includes the appendices and an analysis of stormwater runoff in four sub-

watersheds and estimates the value of stormwater retention provided by local open spaces which

can retain more water than if the land is developed.

The estimated capital costs for constructing manmade stormwater detention facilities inthe four areas total $87 million. An additional annual investment of $2.6 million would be

required to maintain the new infrastructure. Given that the area studied is only 9 percent of

southeastern Pennsylvania, this is a fraction of the total impact of protected open space.

Investing in open space is more affordable than ever in the current market. This report

drives home the point that the return on an open space investment is great for our health and for

our pocketbook.

A copy of the report is available online.
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Contact Donna Pitz, Executive Director of the GreenSpace Alliance, by sending email to:

[email protected] or 215-545-4570, extension 111, to request a speaker to give the

presentation to your group.

Westmoreland Land Trust Board Member Changes, Accomplishments

Susan L. Huba, executive director of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, and Loree Speedy,

a cartographer and field botanist, were recently elected to the board of the Westmoreland Land

Trust.

Huba joined the Loyalhanna Watershed Association as project manager in 2005, and last

year was named as the organizations executive director. She also has worked as the education

assistant at the Carnegie Museum of Natural Historys Powdermill Nature Reserve.

She is the volunteer editor of the Sewickley Creek Watershed Associations newsletter,

and has served as a member of the Westmoreland Earth Day committee and as chair of both the

Latrobe Corridor Cleanup and the Great Ligonier Valley Cleanup.

Speedy, proficient in Geographic Information Systems software, serves as a cartographer

for PRINT. She also performs fieldwork and rare plant surveys for the Carnegie Museum ofNatural History and other entities, and has coauthored published plant checklists of Crawford,

Fayette, and Washington counties.

She is the current field trip coordinator and past newsletter editor of the Botanical Society

of Western Pennsylvania. She also serves on the Community Investment Fund Committee for

the Mon Valley Initiative, and previously served on the board of directors of Downtown West

Newton, Inc.

Re-appointed to the board were: Betsy Aiken of Murrysville, community volunteer;

Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas of Hempfield Township; Mike Kuzemchak of

Rector, Laurel Highlands program director, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; Larry Larese of

Export, director, Westmoreland County Department of Planning; and Tony Quadro ofStahlstown, assistant district manager/technical programs director, Westmoreland Conservation

District.

During their three-year terms on the all-volunteer board of the Westmoreland Land Trust,

these volunteers will help the nonprofit organization conserve and steward land of special value

in Westmoreland County, including land that contributes to the regions quality of life because of

its scenic, recreational, environmental, historical, or cultural qualities.

To-date, the three-year-old land trust has preserved more than 105 acres in four

Westmoreland County communities:

-- the 59-acre Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in Ardara, North Huntingdon

Township;

-- 22 acres in Murrysville, adjacent to the Lillian Kellman Nature Reserve;-- 21 acres in Rostraver Township, along the Youghiogheny River; and

-- 3.5 acres in the City of Greensburg, near Cabin Hill Drive.

Meetings of the Westmoreland Land Trust are held at the Westmoreland Conservation

District office, Donohoe Center, 218 Donohoe Road, and the public is invited to attend.

Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Lifted By Department Of Agriculture
mailto:[email protected]://www.loyalhannawatershed.org/http://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www.carnegiemnh.org/http://www.carnegiemnh.org/http://www2.carlow.edu/sites/botanical/about.htmlhttp://www2.carlow.edu/sites/botanical/about.htmlhttp://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www2.carlow.edu/sites/botanical/about.htmlhttp://www2.carlow.edu/sites/botanical/about.htmlhttp://www.carnegiemnh.org/http://www.carnegiemnh.org/http://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www.wcdpa.com/landtrusthttp://www.loyalhannawatershed.org/mailto:[email protected]


17/26

The Department of Agriculture this week announced the state Emerald Ash Borerquarantine

restricting the in-state movement of ash materials and all hardwood firewood will be lifted April

15. However, a federal quarantine remains in effect.

The Emerald Ash Borer is a highly invasive, wood-boring beetle that kills ash trees and

poses a threat to the state's $25 billion hardwoods industry.

"Lifting our quarantine will allow free movement on Emerald Ash Borer-regulatedmaterials within Pennsylvania," said Acting Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "As Emerald

Ash Borer has moved rapidly across the state, the in-state quarantine restrictions no longer serve

a productive purpose."

Because of the beetle's aggressive movement across Pennsylvania, the in-state quarantine

initially intended to slow the pest's spread is now unnecessary.

Since 2007, when the Emerald Ash Borer was first observed in Butler County, the pest

has been found in 17 additional counties, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford,

Centre, Clarion, Cumberland, Fulton, Indiana, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, Mifflin, Somerset,

Union, Washington and Westmoreland.

The state quarantine includes the counties where the beetle was found in addition to the

contiguous counties, for a total of 43.A parallel federal quarantine, also established in 2007, will remain effective in

Pennsylvania to help stop the spread into other states. International and federal interstate

restrictions will apply to exporting Emerald Ash Borer-regulated materials from Pennsylvania to

non-quarantined domestic areas and regulating countries.

Acting Secretary Greig added that Pennsylvania remains committed to finding ways to

control the beetle, which in turn will protect the state's important hardwoods industry.

The quarantine initially restricted the movement of ash nursery stock, green lumber, and

any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches, from the quarantine area.

Because it is difficult to distinguish between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood

firewoodincluding ash, oak, maple and hickorywas quarantined.The Emerald Ash Borer is native to China and eastern Asia. The pest likely arrived in

North America in wooden shipping crates. It was first detected in July 2002 in southeastern

Michigan and neighboring Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the beetle is attacking ash trees in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia,

West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Typically, the Emerald Ash Borer beetles will kill an ash tree within three years of the

initial infestation. Adults are dark green, one-half inch in length and one-eighth inch wide, and

fly only from early May until September. Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of

ash trees. When they emerge as adults, they leave D-shaped holes in the bark about one-eighth

inch wide.For more information about the quarantine, visit the Emerald Ash Borerwebpage or

contact Walt Blosser at 717-772-5205, and for more information about Emerald Ash Borer,

contact Sven-Erik Spichiger at 717-772-5229.

Reminder: PA Association Of Environmental Educators Conference March 17-19
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/http;/10.41.0.36/AgWebsite/ProgramDetail.aspx?name=Emerald-Ash-Borer-Survey-Program&navid=12&parentnavid=0&palid=68&http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/http;/10.41.0.36/AgWebsite/ProgramDetail.aspx?name=Emerald-Ash-Borer-Survey-Program&navid=12&parentnavid=0&palid=68&http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/http;/10.41.0.36/AgWebsite/ProgramDetail.aspx?name=Emerald-Ash-Borer-Survey-Program&navid=12&parentnavid=0&palid=68&http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_24476_10297_0_43/http;/10.41.0.36/AgWebsite/ProgramDetail.aspx?name=Emerald-Ash-Borer-Survey-Program&navid=12&parentnavid=0&palid=68&


18/26

Registration is now open for the 2011 PA Association of Environmental Educators Conference

on March 17-19 in Ligonier.

The keynote presentation will be given by Dudley Edmonson, a nature photographer,

author and all around outdoor enthusiast.

As a seasoned photographer he has spent the last 20 years of his life traveling around the

nation working with wild subjects in wilderness spaces in just about every habitat America has tooffer.

When he is not working on a photographic assignment or traveling on a speaking engagement, he

spends most of his free time cycling, kayaking, skiing, swimming or trail running. He is proud to

admit that he owns four bikes and is always looking for another one to add to his collection.

Dudleys most recent project is his first book: Black & Brown Faces in Americas Wild

Places. To complete the book he spent four years traveling around the nation in search of other

African Americans who were as passionate about the outdoors as he was. The goal of the book is

to encourage other African Americans to get out and experience nature for their own mental and

physical health.

If the book is successful he hopes it will give African Americans a sense of ownership for

the nations green spaces and wilderness areas, which he believes is key to ensuring protection ofthe nations Natural Heritage for future generations of Americans.

For registration information, scholarship form and sponsorship information, visit the

PAEE website.

Help Wanted: Allegheny Land Trust Chartiers Creek Watershed Intern

The Allegheny Land Trust is seeking candidates for a Chartiers Creek Watershed Intern. The

deadline for applications is April 1.

This paid internship will assist with critical stewardship, fieldwork, land management,

volunteer recruitment and restoration of the Chartiers Creek Watershed. The Intern will workclosely with volunteers and conduct site and habitat monitoring to ensure that the unique

conservation values of the watershed are cared for and upheld.

The position will work with a variety of agencies, local, state and federal as well as

nonprofit organizations to accomplish tasks for the betterment of the entire watershed.

This position is made possible by the gracious donations from the PA Environmental

Defense Foundation and the friends and family of Mr. John Hamm. Mr. Hamm, a local

conservationist, supported local conservancies by serving on their board, writing for their

newsletters, raising funds to foster environmental programs and motivated others to do the same.

The intern should hold the same spirit of adventure and commitment to the community as Mr.

Hamm.

Submit cover letter and resume to Emilie Cooper, Stewardship Coordinator by sendingemail to: [email protected] with Hamm Internship in the subject line.

Bid On Mine Reclamation Projects In Armstrong, Clarion, Schuylkill Counties

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of the opportunity to bid on an

abandoned mine reclamation projects in Armstrong County, in Clarion County and Schuylkill

County.
http://www.paee.net/http://www.paee.net/http://www.alleghenylandtrust.org/http://www.upperchartierscreek.org/http://www.pedf.org/http://www.pedf.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/286.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/287.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/288.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/288.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/288.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/288.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/287.htmlhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol41/41-8/286.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.pedf.org/http://www.pedf.org/http://www.upperchartierscreek.org/http://www.alleghenylandtrust.org/http://www.paee.net/http://www.paee.net/


19/26

Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other

recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.

February 22-- PA Lake Management Society Photo Contest

February 23-- EPA Sustainable Communities Building Blocks Program

February 23-- PA Lake Management Society Restoration Grants

February 25-- Foundation for PA Watersheds Grants

February 28-- Philadelphia Water Department Spokesdogs Contest

February 28-- PACD Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award

February 28-- Federal Pipeline Technical Assistance Grants For Communities

March 1-- Williamsport Lycoming Community Foundation Grants

March 1-- DEP Coastal Zone Land Conservation Grants

March 1-- PEC-Dominion Western PA Environmental Awards

March 1-- Schuylkill Action Network Schuylkill Stories Contest

March 1-- Schuylkill Action Network Drinking Water Scholastic Award Contest

March 4-- USDA Organic Producers Conservation Practices

March 11-- PA American Water Stream Of Learning College Scholarship

March 22-- EPA Community Action For A Renewed Environment Program

March 25-- WREN Watershed, Source Water Protection Education Grants

March 25-- TreeVitalize Pittsburgh Planting Program

March 25-- PA American Environmental Grants

March 28-- EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

March 28-- PACD Educational Mini-Grant Program For Conservation Districts

March 31-- DEP Host Municipal Inspector Reimbursement ProgramMarch 31-- PA American Water Student Watershed Art Contest

April 1-- Mid-Atlantic Invasive Species Panel Grants

April 14-- DEP Diesel School, Transit Bus Retrofit Grants

April 19-- 4-H, FFA Grassland Scholarship Competition

April 20-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants

April 30--Northeast Audubon Society College Scholarship

May 1--NEW. Dominion Foundation Education Partnership Grants

May 2--NEW. Common Waters Foundation Upper Delaware Forest Landowner Grants

June 30-- DEP Nitrogen Tire Inflation System Grants

July 11-- PROP Annual Recycling FilmFest Competition

August 26-- Foundation for PA Watersheds Grants

Other Funding Programs

-- DEP PA Sunshine Solar Energy Rebates

-- CFA High Performance Building Financing (Program Link)

-- CFA Solar Energy Financing (Program Link)

-- CFA Geothermal, Wind Energy Projects (Program Link)
http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18025http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18056http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18024http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17419http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17753http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17960http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17956http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18026http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17888http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17817http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17248http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17248http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17823http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18105http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17899http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17920http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18031http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18028http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17975http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18103http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18114http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17957http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17966http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18118http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17963http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17256http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18121http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18173http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18169http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=16126http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18038http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17419http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12526http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12199http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=198http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12198http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=197http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11301http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=191http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=191http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11301http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=197http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12198http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/funding-detail/index.aspx?progId=198http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12199http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=12526http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17419http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18038http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=16126http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18169http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18173http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18121http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17256http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17963http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18118http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17966http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17957http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18114http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18103http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17975http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18028http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18031http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17920http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17899http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18105http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17823http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17248http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17248http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17817http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17888http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18026http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17956http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17960http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17753http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=17419http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18024http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18056http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=18025


20/26

-- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial

assistance for environmental projects.

Quick Clips

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

Budget

Growing Greener's Roots Run Deep

Climate Cloudy For Growing Greener Future

Editorial: Support For Growing Greener Program

State Cuts To Require Drastic Measures

Blog: Corbett Hints At More Privatization To Balance Budget

Poll: PA Voters Waiting to Decide On New Governor

Will Corbett Follow Wisconsin Governor's Lead?

Democrats Try, Try Again On Severance Tax

Marcellus Royalties Help Game Commission

Column: Re-Vitali-izing Severance Tax For Marcellus Shale

Column: What Now For Marcellus Shale?

Editorial: Taxing Shale Drillers Makes Sense

Casey Criticizes LIHEAP Cuts

Op-Ed: Public-Private Partnerships Can Rebuild Roads

Other

New Economic Reality Of Recycling

Food Recycling Program In Berks Will Provide Cost SavingsAllegheny CleanWays Cleans Up Duck Hollow

J.T. Lambert Gets $4,200 PPL Environmental Ed Grant

NJ Seeks To Stop Western PA Power Plant Over Emissions

EPA Urged To Shut Down Sprindale Power Plant

Sierra Club Opposes Permit For Clearfield Power Plant

Indiana County Power Plant Operated Without Permits

PPL fined $28.500 For Waste Violations At Plants

Oregon Firm Plans To Have Turbine Up In Fayette By Nov.

Editorial: Green Jokes

Tamaqua Area Schools Move Forward On Geothermal Project

Lehigh Zoning Board Rejects Lehigh Elementary Solar PlansRenovated East Liberty House Keeps Utility Bills Low

Smart Meter Test Program Worked Out, Snag Remains

Editorial: Obama Energy Initiative Has Wide Appeal

Editorial: Agreement Should Be Reached Between EPA, Coal, Natural Gas

CMU Pushes Gasoline to Electric Conversion Kit For Cars

Electronic Billboard Bans Eyed In Pittsburgh
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/grantscenter/GrantAndLoanPrograms.asphttp://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/560229/Growing-Greener-s-roots-deeply-rooted.html?nav=5011http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/560228/Keeping-PA-green.html?nav=5011http://wearecentralpa.com/wtaj-news-fulltext/?nxd_id=249876http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_722691.htmlhttp://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2011/02/corbett-hints-at-more-privatization-to-balance-the-books.htmlhttp://pacapitoldigestcrisci.blogspot.com/2011/02/poll-pa-voters-waiting-to-decide-on-new.htmlhttp://www.witf.org/news/regional-and-state/7035-will-corbett-follow-wi-govs-leadhttp://www.witf.org/news/regional-and-state/6984-democrats-try-try-again-on-severance-taxhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/marcellus-royalties-help-agency-1.1104789http://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2011/02/15/main_line_times/opinion/doc4d5aca522ad41894825728.txthttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/02/what_now_for_the_marcellus_sha.htmlhttp://www.centredaily.com/2011/02/13/2516648/taxing-shale-drillers-makes-sense.htmlhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Casey_criticizes_LIHEAP_cuts_02-14-2011.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-road-repairs-rapoport-yv--20110214,0,309408.storyhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11043/1124839-432.stmhttp://www.bctv.org/special_reports/environment/article_a71ea00c-392c-11e0-9fd5-001cc4c002e0.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11049/1126281-53.stmhttp://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110218/NEWS13/102180353/-1/NEWSMAPhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110212_N_J__seeks_to_stop_Western_Pennsylvania_power_plant_over_emissions.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_723115.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11046/1125489-455.stmhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_722722.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/business/mc-allentown-ppl-fine-20110214,0,1901752.storyhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/fayette/s_723059.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_723007.htmlhttp://www.riverreporter.com/issues/11-02-17/head1-drbc.htmlhttp://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1298005513246282.xml&coll=3http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11045/1125286-53.stmhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/details-of-smart-meter-test-program-worked-out-but-potential-snag-remains-1.1104262http://citizensvoice.com/opinion/energy-initiative-has-wide-appeal-1.1103710#axzz1Dl32nmnVhttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/02/working_agreement_should_be_re.html%3Cbr%20/%3Ehttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_723449.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_723493.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_723493.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_723449.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/02/working_agreement_should_be_re.html%3Cbr%20/%3Ehttp://citizensvoice.com/opinion/energy-initiative-has-wide-appeal-1.1103710#axzz1Dl32nmnVhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/details-of-smart-meter-test-program-worked-out-but-potential-snag-remains-1.1104262http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11045/1125286-53.stmhttp://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1298005513246282.xml&coll=3http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/11-02-17/head1-drbc.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_723007.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/fayette/s_723059.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/business/mc-allentown-ppl-fine-20110214,0,1901752.storyhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_722722.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11046/1125489-455.stmhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_723115.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110212_N_J__seeks_to_stop_Western_Pennsylvania_power_plant_over_emissions.htmlhttp://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110218/NEWS13/102180353/-1/NEWSMAPhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11049/1126281-53.stmhttp://www.bctv.org/special_reports/environment/article_a71ea00c-392c-11e0-9fd5-001cc4c002e0.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11043/1124839-432.stmhttp://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-road-repairs-rapoport-yv--20110214,0,309408.storyhttp://www.timesleader.com/news/Casey_criticizes_LIHEAP_cuts_02-14-2011.htmlhttp://www.centredaily.com/2011/02/13/2516648/taxing-shale-drillers-makes-sense.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/02/what_now_for_the_marcellus_sha.htmlhttp://mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2011/02/15/main_line_times/opinion/doc4d5aca522ad41894825728.txthttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/marcellus-royalties-help-agency-1.1104789http://www.witf.org/news/regional-and-state/6984-democrats-try-try-again-on-severance-taxhttp://www.witf.org/news/regional-and-state/7035-will-corbett-follow-wi-govs-leadhttp://pacapitoldigestcrisci.blogspot.com/2011/02/poll-pa-voters-waiting-to-decide-on-new.htmlhttp://blogs.mcall.com/capitol_ideas/2011/02/corbett-hints-at-more-privatization-to-balance-the-books.htmlhttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_722691.htmlhttp://wearecentralpa.com/wtaj-news-fulltext/?nxd_id=249876http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/560228/Keeping-PA-green.html?nav=5011http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/560229/Gr

Documents

Pa Environment Digest Feb. 21, 2011